Catholic Charities Joins Broad National Campaign to Cut Poverty in Half by 2020
New Campaign Urges Local Representatives and Members of Congress to Give Greater Priority to the Poor in Action on Health Care, Housing, Nutrition, and Economic Security
Catholic Charities of Central Texas has joined a new multi-year initiative lead by Catholic Charities USA to cut poverty in half by 2020. The campaign will urge Congress and the Administration to give a much higher priority to the needs of the poor in budget and policy decisions on issues such as health care, housing, nutrition, and economic security.
The goal of Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America is to cut the poverty rate in the United States in half by 2020.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas is involved in the broad effort by Catholic Charities USA that will involve partners in social service agencies, the faith community, and other groups in a sustained effort to convince government officials of the importance of making systemic changes in government programs to help the poor and most vulnerable in our society.
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Addressing a rising need for help in Central Texas
By Cynthia N. Colbert, Executive Director
Catholic Charities of Central Texas
More and more people in Central Texas know first hand that poverty never takes a holiday, something that we all must remember during the Christmas holidays this year.
At Catholic Charities of Central Texas, we provide help and create hope for people in need, regardless of their faith. In the past year, we have seen a rising number of requests for assistance, and have been working hard to respond to growing numbers seeking our help.
The situation is the same across the country. In fact, a new report just released by Catholic Charities USA shows that Catholic Charities agencies across the country provided services to nearly 8 million people in 2006. That figure includes 4.1 million people who live below the poverty line, which is $20,000 for a family of four. This means that Catholic Charities agencies are helping one out of every 10 people living in poverty in the U.S.
According to data from the American Communities Survey of the U.S. Census, 24 of the 25 Central Texas counties within the services region of the Catholic Diocese of Austin have 10 percent or more of their county populations living in poverty; 14 or 56 percent of the 25 counties have poverty rates between 15 and 24 percent and 10 or 40 percent of the counties have poverty rates between 10 and 14 percent.
The CCUSA report, “Poverty in America: Beyond the Numbers,” highlights the fact that over the last few years Catholic Charities agencies like ours have seen a rising percentage of clients living in poverty. In 2006, 52 percent of Catholic Charities clients in the U.S. were from below the federal poverty line, up from 43 percent in 2002.
This report tells an impressive story of outreach. Catholic Charities of Central Texas and others across the nation meet the immediate needs of the poorest and most vulnerable among us and empower them to build lives of dignity and economic security. But as blessed as we are in reaching out to the poor and vulnerable in our diocese, we know that even more must be done because the need is increasing.
Catholic Charities USA survey shows that there are a growing number of people who are just having trouble getting a sufficient amount of food on a regular basis.
Nationally, 51 percent of the total services provided by Catholic Charities agencies are food services, due to a 12 percent increase in the need for food service programs in 2006. The food pantries at Catholic Charities and at many local parishes and community agencies are also seeing an increasing number of people who need food and basic needs assistance.
At the same time that we are working each day to help those who come to us in need, we and other Catholic Charities are taking our knowledge of the challenges facing the poor and vulnerable, and seeking to get at some of the broader problems that keep people from making ends meet, and get them on a path to self-sufficiency.
That’s why Catholic Charities of Central Texas is part of the national Catholic Charities Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, which has a goal of cutting the U.S. poverty rate in half by 2020. This campaign urges government leaders to give the needs of the poor a higher priority in budget and policy decisions. Our work is centered in four key areas: housing, hunger, nutrition assistance and economic security.
The holiday season is a time of giving and a time to think about those less fortunate. We invite others in our community to join our efforts by endorsing the Campaign to Reduce Poverty, to volunteer their time and/or to make a donation to any local agency that is working to strengthen individuals and families and to reduce poverty at the local level.
The more help we all have, the more we give hope this holiday season. Catholic Charities of Central Texas pledges our continued commitment to work with parishes, St. Vincent de Paul councils and others to help those most in need.
Make The Poverty Campaign Personal This December
December brings about a season of giving. With the average cost of a gallon of gas at $3.00 and winter weather necessitating higher energy bills, families across the country must choose between buying food and paying bills or trying to buy Christmas presents for their children.
As we begin this season of giving, let us not forget the 36.5 million people living in poverty in this nation. Millions of who are working in full time jobs that do not pay enough to raise them above the poverty line.
This month as part of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, learn more about a livable wage by participating in one of the many activities available to you. Find out more.