Poverty in America is rising; 14.3 percent of Americans lived under the poverty line in 2009, up from 13.2 percent in 2008. 

The levels of poverty are the highest since the Great Depression in the 1930s.

 But what constitutes poverty?  The Federal Government sets poverty standards each year, which are adjusted to inflation (see chart below).

Missouri’s poverty rate is about average when compared to other states with approximately 14.6 percent living under the poverty line. 

States hit hardest include Mississippi with 21.9 percent and Arkansas with 18.8 percent.

Poverty is growing, but so is the effort to combat poverty within America, and even within our own communities. 

Non-profit organizations, churches, and charities were hit hard last year with the increase in those seeking help, and they are continually trying to help the ever-growing population of people in need.

The amount of food donated by the Ozarks Food Harvest, a local food bank which serves people in Southwest Missouri, has  increased by 88% over the last two years—from 4.5 million pounds in 2006, to 8.5 million pounds in 2010.

Springfield has many more organizations that continue to fight homelessness and help the impoverished, such as the Victory Mission, The Well of Life, and the Crosslines of Springfield. 

Ozarks Food Harvest is the largest and is part of an even larger organization, Feeding America, which feeds millions across the United States.

Susan Epperson, volunteer coordinator and food manager at Springfield’s local Well of Life, is hopeful that the number of people living in poverty will decrease, even in the tough economic climate.

“We had an influx of people seeking help last fiscal year, and really, that amount has ceased growing and has leveled off since then,” said Epperson. “Although The Well of Life is only one small organization, the fact that the number of people seeking help isn’t growing any more is really a good sign that the economy might be bouncing back.”

Not only are more people seeking help from food banks, but also from their schools.

The percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunches in Springfield’s public schools has increased steadily over the last 10 years. The district-wide number has risen from 35.4 percent 10 years ago to 49.2 percent in 2010, according to the school district.

Some Springfield elementary schools are even posting percentages in the 90s: Weaver has the largest amount with 95.1 percent. 

Parkview’s percentage has more than doubled from 23.9 percent in 2000, to 48.4 percent in 2010.

More free and reduced lunches means less tax money for schools, which is a bad thing for students and schools alike.