Today I am blogging with Blog Action Day 08 to raise awareness about poverty. People and organizations are working world wide to develop action plans to resolve poverty. This world, but particularly this country, can no longer function with the attitude "I've got mine, go get yours." If one of us is suffering, it truly means suffering for us all.
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, 37 million Americans—one in eight—lived below the federal poverty line in 2005, defined as an annual income of $19,971 for a family of four. Yet poverty touches a far greater share of the population over the course of their lives: A 1997 study by University of Michigan economist Rebecca Blank found that one-third of all U.S. residents will experience government-defined poverty within a 13-year period. The poorest age group is children, with more than one in six living in official poverty at any given time. (read more)
For example, there was an announcement on the local news yesterday morning from the Housing Authority about recent availability of housing units. People were encouraged to apply. They had 23 units; more than 500 eligible people applied.
Where are the other 477 to go? What will they do?
Will the local community feel the impact of this housing shortage? Most certainly. It will be experienced as increases in homelessness, crime, infant mortality rates and other signs of financial unrest.
The bible says "the poor will be with us always,"; I don't believe that this is a get out of jail free card for those of us who have been blessed NOT to live in poverty. The only reason that poverty even exists in our world is due to our self-centered mindset.
Solutions: share your blessings generously, either with your church, synagogue or other spiritual places of worship. There are a plethora of organizations throughout cities across the globe with missions to relieve suffering; share not only your financial resources, but your resources of time and attention, as well.
Do what you can to help build up those around you. Illiteracy should be completely obliterated in this high tech world we live in; but the rates are as high now as ever. Each one; teach one.
With everyone making a commitment to do just one thing, we can change things!
Are you willing to commit yourself to the end of poverty today?
4 comments:
This is such a sad situation.
I was reading that right here in America that just about every minute a child dies because of a provery related matter.
I was talking to a co-worker a minute ago about those commericials you see to sponser a child in another country and while my heart goes out to them and I want to help them it surprises me that America is allowing so many of it's own people to starve and we are such a wealthy country with great resources to help our own.
And on the news I see that local food banks are struggling but we are bailing out banks.
I'm sure they could spare something for a food bank and a family with empty cupboards.
And about your housing thing.
I know two working females. Struggling to pay rent and bills and keep clothes on the back of their children. And when they went to apply for Section 8 were told it was closed and that they would have to wait to apply for a lottery.
When it came about there were 300 applications and only 30 spots on a waiting list. A waiting list. Not even actually recieving the voucher. Neither of them made the list.
Sharon, our country really does have it's priorities in the wrong place and it's easy to experience a sense of helplessness because the solution is way bigger than one person. But if each person does his/her part, and focus on the common good, we would be in a much better place.
Thanks for sharing!
I'll have to do something on my blog for this.
I agree, you should, Mike. Through increased exposure of this topic, we will hopefully increase awareness and possibly motivated someone(s) to take action.
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