Hanna Birenbaum
Staff Writer
The Nationwide median household income is 53,291 while the Silicon Valley median household income is 94,572. In California, Apple and Google grew out of garages, yet now garages in California are being used to house kids. While this area is known for such wealth, child poverty consumes the area.
One family, according to CNN, states, “We had to turn the living room and garage into rooms in order for everyone to fit.”
One in three children are at a huge risk of hunger due to the extreme poverty in Silicon Valley. The GDP is $16.8 trillion resulting in the second highest rate of child poverty. CNN states, “Nationally, one in five kids lives below the federal poverty line, which is $23,834 for a family of four.” CNN also said it would take $60,000 to $100,000 per year for a family of four to escape life in poverty.” This shows that childhood poverty is nearly impossible to escape.
Not only does poverty strain the physical needs of a child due to under eating, but poverty also takes a huge toll on the child’s emotional stability. The toxic stress from the poverty literally changes the brain chemistry, having a huge impact on the child. Poverty is a huge problem throughout the entire United States.
A great way to make a difference with poverty in America is to donate to a foundation. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, with network members supplying food to more than 25 million Americans each year. This network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually.
If people are looking to get more local, they can reach out to the Beth-El Center of Milford. The Beth-El Center website states, “The Beth-El Center’s mission is to alleviate homelessness and hunger in the Milford area through shelter, support services, advocacy and community education in partnership with the faith-based community and public and private organizations.”
At this organization you can donate or volunteer. The Beth-El Center is always looking for soup kitchen volunteers, office volunteers, and handyman/maintenance volunteers.
Giving back to the community can be very beneficial. Your donations and/or time can have a huge impact on someone’s life.
