Rising poverty levels and escalating prices are increasing pressure on nonprofits already struggling to put a bit of Christmas cheer on tables this holiday season.
The D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute is reporting that poverty is growing in Wards 7 and 8, the two communities that already had the lowest median family income levels in the District.
The gross percentage of the population below the poverty line has risen in these two wards from 17 to 19 percent over the last year — and the decline into poverty is happening faster than in previous years.
“There certainly is a great need [in those wards], and it is increasing,” said Stacey Rolland, policy analyst of the institute and author of the study. “This will put more strain on nonprofits that serve the poor,” Rolland said. “They will have to do more outreach to provide more services.”
Rolland said a second study is under way to identify what is driving the growth in poverty.
“That study will be out in the first of the year, and hopefully will suggest some solutions as well,” Rolland said. But in this season, “there will need to be greater access to more affordable food to counter what is going on in these neighborhoods,” she explained.
In the meantime, those who provide holiday meals are facing a tougher season than usual.
Not only is the need greater, the cost of turkeys, canned vegetables and other Christmas-time staples is rising — meaning nonprofits will find it harder just to keep pace with demand for the hot holiday meals so many of us take for granted.
“Every year, Bread for the City runs its Holiday Helpings program, where we provide holiday meals to low-income District residents,” said Adrienne Ammerman, marketing and special events officer for the D.C.-based Bread for the City.
“This year, we have raised our goal from 8,000 meals to 9,000 meals — even as the price of turkeys has gone up 32 cents per pound,” she told The Examiner.
“From the beginning of November through Thanksgiving, we have given out turkeys and holiday meals so far to 6,000 households. And through Dec. 22 we expect to give out another 3,000,” said George Jones, Bread for the City’s executive director.
“We try and work with people who serve people in their homes,” Jones said, as opposed to food kitchens and other dispensing sites, which also are feeling the squeeze from rising demand for hot meals.
Jones said it was not just the rising cost of turkeys, but also increases in the cost of canned goods and the ingredients for pies and cakes, such as milk, flour and eggs.
Jones said Bread was getting increased corporate support to help offset its rising food costs this season, which he pegged at $240,000, to serve its needy families this season.
“We have been blessed by more giving from the business community,” Jones said, adding they had not yet raised the full amount they need but were now more than halfway there. “We’ll get there, but we have had to run a little faster to serve people this year.”
Have information about area nonprofits? Contact Frank Sietzen at [email protected].
