By TIM HOCKETT
Special to Peninsula Daily News
SADLY, OUR COMMUNITY’S combined effort to address poverty is needed more than ever as the economy takes its toll on more and more people.
A few days ago it was reported by the U.S. Census Bureau that the poverty level had reached 15.1 percent in America, representing 46.2 million people — the highest number of Americans living in poverty since the bureau started keeping that statistic.
The report says 22 percent of children under the age of 18 lived in poverty in 2010.
Here on the North Olympic Peninsula, approximately 15,010 people live in poverty — more than 4,000 in Jefferson County and nearly 11,000 in Clallam County.
These are our neighbors.
One really disturbing thing about this percentage is that it is right about where it was in 1964, when our nation launched its “War on Poverty.”
The picture gets bleaker when you consider the notion that the federal poverty line seems ridiculously low.
For a family of four, the poverty line is $22,350 per year, or one person earning $10.75 per hour (pre-tax) — again to feed, clothe, house and provide child care and medical care to four people.
If that family’s breadwinner makes $11 per hour, they are not considered “in poverty.”
Then too, remember the inequities in our economy.
The bottom 40 percent of America’s households earn only 12 percent of the nation’s income.
We all pay $3.50 to $3.80 for a gallon of gas — wealthy and poor — but the poor get hit hardest.
High costs disproportionately hit those who are already struggling.
Other heavy costs, like childcare and medical care, hit low-income families really hard.
The average fees paid for a 4-year-old in a family childcare home full-time is $600 per month.
Most impoverished households have small children at home — those children need care while Mom or Dad is at work.
If grandparents or friends are not available to provide affordable or free childcare, the way out of poverty is blocked.
How about health care costs?
If you are not insured, a trip to the emergency room can quickly reach $1,000.
Similarly, a trip to the dentist can quickly reach that amount.
Did I mention that the same report from the U.S. Census Bureau states that 50 million Americans (yeah that’s right, 50 million) are without health insurance?
Here at Olympic Community Action Programs — OlyCAP — we are trying to address the effects of poverty, helping people survive it and even helping some to rise above it.
In 2010, we actually helped 11,500 of those more than 15,000 struggling people.
Need is growing, and resources are dwindling.
I am personally disappointed that as a nation we are not doing better.
But I am proud to be involved with our OlyCAP team in work that actually provides meaningful help.
We just need more of our neighbors to join us in lending a hand.
We need more community builders.
My challenge to the community is this:
■ Start with being a great neighbor. Be generous and kind — do not judge folks who are hurting.
■ If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that there are many community resources that can help.
See www.olycap.org, and click on the “Get Help” tab.
■ Donate time and money to organizations like OlyCAP, United Way of Clallam County, United Good Neighbors of Jefferson County, Salvation Army, food banks and others.
These are major community efforts working to stabilize and strengthen families.
But most importantly, reach out and help someone.
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Tim Hockett is executive director of OlyCAP, the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
Contact Hockett at THockett@olycap.org, or 360-452-4726 or 360-385-2571.
