Central Dallas Ministries
POVERTY FACTS

Poverty is a symptom of deeper problems tearing at our community:

. . . poor health . . . lack of education . . .

unemployment . . . disempowerment.

We partner with our neighbors -- we do not have "clients" -- to address the root causes of poverty. Together, we are building a genuine community. Join us today!

CDM'S Response?

We are not just working to serve the poor - we help our struggling neighbors to lift themselves out of poverty. Click here to see our progress.

The number of American households experiencing hunger has jumped 43% over the past 5 years (1999-2004).

38.2 million Americans now live in households that suffer directly from hunger and food insecurity.

This represents an increase of more than 7 million people since 1999, and includes nearly 14 million children.

Only 44% of food pantry users received food stamps in the 30 days prior to the survey.

More than one-third (34.9%) of food pantry users did not participate in any of the three largest federal food assistance programs: food stamps, free or reduced-price lunches, or WIC.

Dr. J. Larry Brown, a leading scholarly authority on domestic hunger, says, "This chronic level of hunger so long after the recession ended means that it is a man-made problem."

SOURCE:

Center on Hunger and Poverty
Institute on Assets and Social Policy
Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Brandeis University
Mailstop 077
Waltham, MA 02454

• 781.736.8885
• Fax: 781.736.3925
• hunger@brandeis.edu

CDM'S Response?

Our food pantries provided over 560,000 pounds of food to the poor in 2005. Every day, over 200 people come to our door in search of help. Click here to learn more about our Food Pantry.

"One in eight Americans lives in poverty."

"Over 35% of those who live in poverty are children under the age of 18."

"In 2004, there were 1.1 million more people below the poverty line than in 2003 (over a 3% increase in a single year)."

- U.S. Census (click graph to enlarge)

"One out of every five Dallas children is being raised in poverty."

- United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Number in Poverty and Poverty Rate:
1959 to 2004
 

Poverty Rates by Age:
1959 to 2004

CDM'S Response?

We provide holistic programs that seek to address the root causes of poverty. Click here to learn more about our approach.

The Federal poverty line for a family of four is $19,307. But how far does that go in America today?

Set aside two minutes to take the Poverty Tour. Click here.

CDM'S Response?

Our emergency relief programs seek to help poor families stretch their limited budget. Click here to learn more about our programs.

Relevant Articles

• Texas Poverty 101, a policy brief by the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP). ( .PDF File)

• The Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Dallas, developed by the City of Dallas in collaboration with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance( .PDF File)
   

• "Downtown homeless center passes easily." Kim Horner, The Dallas Morning News. Wednesday, November 9, 2005. ( .PDF File)

• "Consumers don't see burden getting lighter: Energy bills, debts handcuff households." Pamela Yip, The Dallas Morning News. Tuesday, November 1, 2005. ( .PDF File)