by Sue Jimmerson

   Catholic social teaching regarding care of the poor and underprivileged has inspired Catholics for centuries to reach out with help in varied efforts. Yet most of us until recently have had difficulty “seeing the faces” of the poor and needy.
    We have read the national statistics on poverty — 37.3 million living below the federal poverty line in the U.S., including 13.3 million children and 10 percent of families. We’ve been told that these numbers are increasing greatly now due to economic conditions, home foreclosures, and rising unemployment. Relief agencies, help lines, and Catholic Charity organizations across the country have reported heavy increases of those seeking help, as the working poor and families now join those in need. For example, last year Catholic Social Services in Rapid City served 18,497 people in western S.D. for all types of services; this is an increase of 2,782 clients from the previous year.

    Please read the statistics below for our state and region, and consider the ways you can help. Truly, we don’t have to look far these days to see someone in need among us.

Poverty in S.D.
In 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.6 percent of South Dakotans lived below the federal poverty threshold ($21,200 for a family of 4). This would be approximately 102,000 people, based on our population of 754,844. Child poverty in S.D. was 16.8 percent (ranked 27th of 50 states) and poverty for senior citizens was 12.5 percent (ranked 9th).
    The Community Food Banks of South Dakota estimated that one of every seven individuals in S.D. live at or below the poverty line. [Community Food Banks of S.D. website]
The counties in western South Dakota with critical poverty rates included (alphabetically) Bennett, Corson, Dewey, Jackson, Mellette, Shannon, Todd, and Ziebach. Similar counties in eastern S.D. were Buffalo, Charles Mix and Clay. The number of children living in poverty in the above counties exceeded 9,181 in 2005; no doubt there are higher numbers now. [David Boston, Suite101.com, 7-20-08; Population Reference Bureau, Jan. 2008]

Hunger in S.D.
    The Cornerstone Rescue Mission in Rapid City served an average of 380 meals every day in 2008 (up 41 meals daily from 2007), according to the Director James Castleberry.
    According to Community Food Banks of South Dakota website:
*Their food bank operations throughout S.D. distributed 9,275,308 pounds of food and grocery products through a network of 500 hunger relief agencies in all 66 S.D. counties.
*This distribution included 681,000 pounds for over 32,400 individuals and family members in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
*The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provided food and grocery products to 2,812 seniors statewide to help stretch their monthly income.

Homelessness in S.D.
    Rapid City (up from 68 in 2007). The Mission’s Women and Children’s Home also provided shelter and assistance to 360 women (35 of whom were pregnant) and 220 children in 2008 (an increase of 78 women and 76 children). [Provided by Director James Castleberry].
Last year, 411 homeless children attended Rapid City schools. [Cornerstone newsletter Nov. ’08]

    The homeless in western South Dakota included 23 percent single women, 56 percent single men, 36 percent mentally ill, 18 percent veterans, 2 percent unaccompanied youth, and 29 percent families with children. [Cornerstone newsletter, Aug. ’08]
The 2009 Statewide Homeless survey counted a total of 1,189 homeless people in S.D. (up from 1,026 in 2007, an increase of 15.8 percent). Of these 32 percent were children, 25 percent women, and 43 percent men. Of those surveyed, 46 percent report being homeless for the first time in three years. [SD Housing Development Authority website]

Ways We Can Help
*Contribute additional money or food items to your local collection efforts, agencies, or a family in need. Organize a collection if there is none.
*Volunteer to serve or deliver meals at your local shelter or through Meals on Wheels. Contact local agencies for other ways to volunteer.
*Businessmen — consider how you might help employ or provide job training to someone in need.
*Parents and youth ministers — check for educational ideas, activities, and summer reading lists to help children relate to the poor (see “Activity and “Learning More” tabs at the Web site listed below).
*Adults — learn more about the USCCB/CRS effort to fight poverty during 2009 and how you can help at www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/edcenter.
*Urge your elected officials to ensure just social policies and economic programs.
*Pray daily for those living among us in poverty, hungry, unemployed, or homeless.