Our campaign included time at the Boys and Girls Club in Clearwater’s North Greenwood neighborhood.

A disturbing report was released last month. According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. poverty rate spiked to 15.1 percent in 2010, the highest level since 1993. The rate in Florida was 16 percent. 

In 2010, poverty was defined as an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four and $11,139 for a single person.  

The news was even worse for our nation’s children, whose poverty rate was 22%. That means that almost one in four children in our country lives in poverty.

As I think about the struggling families in our area, I’m determined that United Way of Tampa Bay will work harder than ever to help.  

Last year, we invested 40 percent of your donations in our safety net services. Our partner food banks served 80,000 people – up 10,000 from the previous year. Our sheltering partners provided a safe place to sleep for more than 4,300 people.  We are the fiscal agent and manage distribution of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program that allocates dollars for food, rent, mortgages and utilities for the neediest in our community. And we provide free tax preparation to working families to ensure they keep more of what they earn.

As you think about your investment in your community, consider these numbers. Think about the children who are living in poverty. When you’ve given what you’re able to, think about other ways you can help. Become a tutor at a low-income school. Volunteer at a social service agency so they can use their funds to serve the community.

I have high hopes that one day soon, more people will be employed and more families with children will be lifted out of poverty. I know that without your help, your investments and your time, we would not be doing as well as we are. Thank you for doing what you can to help others. Your caring keeps me going.

 

Diana Baker, President and CEO

Advertisement