Posted January 18, 2023
The word 'poverty' is the state of being extremely poor. It is about not having enough money to meet basic needs like food, clothing, housing, etc.
According to Step Forward Today, Ohio’s poverty level is at 12.7%, which is higher than the national average of 11.9%.
Poverty has existed since the dawn of time, but the official criterion to evaluate poverty in the U.S. wasn’t established until the 1960s and has not changed much since then, nationaltoday.com states.
January is Poverty Awareness Month, and during the next 31 days, people across the United States make an effort to learn more about this social issue, educate others, and find ways to help those in need.
Here are some ways you can acknowledge Poverty Awareness Month:
1. Post on social media. Use your voice to inform others about the current poverty levels in your area. Do your own research from a reliable source and include ways to help, whether it’s a link to a website or a repost from the source.
2. Educate yourself so you can educate others. The best way to educate others is by doing the research yourself. Don’t just listen to what others say. See for yourself and seek information from credible government and nonprofit sources.
3. Start a food/clothing drive. Get a few friends together and ask around your neighborhood for non-perishable foods, clothing, hygiene products, etc., to donate to your local shelter! Catholic Charities Bishop Cosgrove Center, St. Augustine Hunger Center, and St. Elizabeth Center are accepting donations!
4. Volunteer. This is a great way to help others in your community, and you can also educate yourself about poverty in your area. Volunteering can put yourself in someone else’s shoes who lives in the same community but lives an entirely different life from you.
5. Be kind. Chances are you may know someone who lives in poverty, and you don’t even know it. Always show love to those around you and offer help, even if you don’t think it’s needed. Kindness can go a long way. So stop and smile at the next person you run into on the street, hold the door open for the person behind you, or pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru.
To learn more about ways you can help, or if you are interested in donating items to our centers, click the buttons below.
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