Poverty News - It is a Call to Action

On Monday of last week the US Census Bureau released poverty statistics for the United States and the State of Georgia.  Those statistics made big news in the media the next day. 

Unfortunately they were old news to staff and volunteers of St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta and the many others who work with people in need every day.  Each of the agencies dealing with situations of poverty and need have faced an overwhelming number of clients over these past few years; especially since the start of the economic downturn in 2008.

It is our hope that the release of these sobering poverty numbers does not drive a sensationalism of the plight of the poor and disenfranchised, or create a tone of blame against those living on the margins. Instead we hope that they will create an atmosphere of compassion and understanding and a drive for solutions.

We must demand that our elected representatives at all levels refuse to use the plight of the needy as political footballs to be kicked back and forth until one party wins and the people loose. Those suffering in poverty and need are real people with real stories of how they got into trouble. They are real people who have a strong desire to get themselves out of their crisis. Despite what some would claim, no one wants to be poor; no one wants to be dependent.

We all know that some people in need got themselves into that situation because of bad choices they made. But the vast majority of the people we help didn't have a choice--they lost their job at the wrong time, got sick at the wrong time, got their hours cut at the wrong time, or bought a home at the wrong time. They may be our family, neighbors, or friends. Without a financial cushion, these people fell into need. They deserve our compassion. They need our support.  

Let’s use the sobering poverty statistics released this week as a call to action rather than a call to blame.  Let’s act, not talk. We can all be part of the solution. While we are waiting for the economy to improve, for jobs to be created and filled, for housing to recover, we need to volunteer in a food pantry, donate to a thrift store, serve food in a shelter, and give to a service organization.  Together, we can make a difference.

John Berry
CEO and Executive Director