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National Poverty Awareness Month
Posted on January 13, 2005
Did you know that "on average, one out of every three Americans - 34.2 percent of all people in the United States - are officially classified as living in poverty at least 2 months out of the year? (U.S. Census Bureau, Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Poverty 1996-1999, July 2003.)" January is National Poverty Awareness Month. When we speak of poverty and hunger, we tend to pull up images of poverty in third world countries. Rarely do we think of the United States as a place where poverty and hunger is a crucial issue. However, if you have seen Struggling to Survive, or visited the Catholic Campaign for Human Development Web site, then you would be aware of the vast amount of people who currently reside in poverty in your own country. In the film Struggling to Survive, the realities of minimum wage are clearly presented. Raising the minimum wage nationally, and supporting living wage campaigns is one way to begin improving poverty and hunger conditions in our country. Through the CCHD Web site, one can find ways to get involved in the fight to end poverty, get educated, and learn effective ways to spread awareness. In an effort to participate in National Poverty Awareness Month, we can spread consciousness on rebuilding efforts necessary in the United States.
To learn more about the living wage campaign, go to ACORN'S www.livingwagecampaign.org. The site provides history, knowledge, and ways to get involved with the campaign, as well as links to other organizations fighting for a similar cause.