Poverty in Oklahoma: a ‘challenging’ forecast
FOOD BANK, SALVATION ARMY SEE A RISE IN NEED AS DONATIONS DECLINE

Neither used the terms "shocked” or "surprised.”

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released the "2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates.” Among other things, it showed increases in Oklahoma since the 2000 Census in the percentage of families and individuals below poverty level.

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AT A GLANCE

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Census Bureau’s "2005-07 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates” report showed 12.5 percent of Oklahoma families are below the poverty level, up from 11.2 percent in 2000.

• The report showed 16.6 percent of individuals in Oklahoma are below the poverty level, up from 14.7 percent in 2000.

The poverty threshold

• The Census Bureau’s poverty threshold includes nearly all income, before taxes, but does not include capital gains or noncash benefits such at food stamps and housing subsidies.

• Thresholds vary according to size of the family and ages of the members. As examples, for 2008, the poverty threshold is $10,590 for a single person, $13,540 for a couple, and a little more than $21,000 for a family of four.

• The same thresholds are used throughout the U.S. and do not vary by geographical area.

• The Census Bureau thresholds are intended for use as a statistical yardstick, not as a complete description of what people and families need to live.

• Each government aid program may define eligibility differently.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Add to that the fact that the recent survey ended before the current economic crisis.

But Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, and Heide Brandes, community relations and development director for The Salvation Army Oklahoma City Area Command, weren’t surprised.

"We’ve seen a steady increase in clients coming to The Salvation Army for the past two years,” Brandes said.

In fiscal year 2007, The Salvation Army provided aid to 121,000 people. In fiscal year 2008, that number jumped up to 125,977. The group has seen increases in people needing help with groceries, meals and general assistance. For instance, in 2007 the organization provided 118,261 meals; in 2008, it served about 133,000 meals.

Bivens called the poverty situation "extremely challenging.”

"The Food Bank is operating in uncharted territory, since we have never experienced this level of demand for food or the difficult market conditions that exist,” Bivens said. "Add to that the increase in the cost of doing business, and you have an extremely challenging forecast ahead.”

In October and November, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma distributed a record amount of food — almost 5 million pounds in a two-month period. It distributed 700,000 more pounds of food than it received during this two-month period.

"We will need to work harder and smarter as the demand continues to increase,” Bivens said.

Thus, the food bank will continue looking for ways to effectively use the resources it has.

"They also have less to give,” she said. "What that means is that we’re helping more and more people with less and less donations.”

Take the Red Kettles, for example. The goal for this year was to raise $350,000, but only $275,000 was collected. A year ago, $325,000 was collected.

"The Salvation Army will always be here to do the most good for those in the most need, and we will continue to find ways to provide food, shelter, hope and comfort,” Brandes said.

"However, we’ve already seen the effect.”

Reality and optimism may not be the same, but it’s important to hang on to both.

"Oklahomans have always responded to the need when they are made aware of it, and we think they will again,” Bivens said. "As difficult as the current market conditions are on everyone, low-income families are having to give up more things than ever. Food should not be one of them.”

We will need to work harder and smarter as the demand continues to increase.”

Rodney Bivens
executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

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