National Poverty in America Awareness Month: 3 Tips to Address Poverty in Your Community

• Poverty is a complex issue that affects individuals and communities around the world. By donating your time, money, or both, you can help those in need.
• There are several ways to address poverty in your community, like volunteering at an organization that serves the homeless or hungry.
• Use your voice to speak about poverty and highlight policies and programs that best address it.

Poverty is a complex issue that affects individuals and communities around the world. In general, poverty refers to an individual or household not having enough money to meet basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter. However, poverty can be more complex than just a lack of money. 

Those who live in poverty can also be described as not having enough money to participate in recreational activities like joining the local community soccer team or not being able to go on school field trips with friends. Additionally, poverty can be described as not having enough money to see a doctor or pay for necessary medications for an illness.

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According to the Census Bureau, nearly 40 million Americans lived in poverty in 2021. Poverty is a societal issue that requires everyone to pay attention. While it can be difficult for an individual to address poverty on their own, National Poverty in America Awareness Month, which is commemorated in January, provides an ideal window to work collectively with others and make a difference. 

Below are three important ways to kick off your year by defeating poverty in your community and a bonus tip for increasing income if your cash reserves are precariously low.

Recommended Read: Five Signs of Financial Instability

3 Tips to Address Poverty in Your Community

As the old saying goes, “all politics is local.” Likewise, poverty, wide-ranging though it may be, requires a nuanced approach to address it locally. Below are three ways to engage in the fight to end poverty in your community.

1. Volunteer 

• Many organizations that work to combat poverty rely on volunteers to help with a variety of tasks. Volunteering at a shelter can be a great way to address the ills of poverty face-to-face. Many soup kitchens rely on volunteers to help prepare and serve meals. Whether your role is back-of-the-house peeling potatoes or front-of-the-house serving guests, both roles can provide you with a sense of satisfaction and purpose.
• If sharing knowledge is more your jam, consider mentoring others on a favorite topic or pursuit. Be it teaching others how to read at your neighborhood library, sharing your artistic talents at a community center, or leading a nature hike. There’s always someone who can benefit from your talents and abilities.
• Hosting a coat drive can deliver immediate benefits as the winter chill sets in.  Encourage friends, family, and colleagues in your community to donate coats, hats, gloves, and boots.

2. Donate

Monetary donations can make a big difference in the fight against poverty. Consider giving to organizations that work to provide basic needs to help alleviate those with severe financial strain. Potential organizations that you can contact include:  

• Local food banks: Many communities have local food banks that collect and distribute food to families in need. These organizations often accept non-perishable food items such as canned goods, cereal, pasta, and rice.
• Food pantries: Churches and community centers often operate food pantries that provide food to people in need. Call ahead to see what types of items are most needed.
• School programs: Many schools have programs that provide food to low-income students, such as backpack programs that send children home with food for the weekend. You can donate food items or money to support these programs.

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3. Advocate

Use your voice to speak about poverty and highlight policies and programs that best address it. Writing to your councilperson or congressperson is an effective way to advocate for policies and programs that will help to combat poverty. Below are five tips to help you write an effective letter:

1. Identify your goals: Before you begin writing, think about what you hope to accomplish with your letter. For example, are you trying to raise awareness about specific poverty-related issues and policies that are being discussed in your district or community? Are you asking your representative to support or co-sponsor a bill? Defining your desired outcome will help you to make your case more effective.
2. Tailor your letter: Address your letter to your congressperson, including their name and title. Also, include your address in the letter and tell them that you reside in their district.
3. Be specific and concise: Make your letter as specific as possible. Be concise and to the point, and above all, be respectful and avoid inflammatory language or personal attacks.
4. End with a call to action: Clearly state what you would like your congressperson to do, whether it's supporting a specific bill, holding a hearing, or taking other action.
5. Follow up: After you've sent your letter, follow up with a phone call or email to ensure that your message was received and to see if there are any updates on the issue. Remember, persistence pays off.

Increasing Funds on the Homefront

If income and cash reserves (savings) are perilously thin in your life, a great way to address it immediately is by having a side hustle. A side hustle has the twin benefits of ease of implementation and additional cash to supplement your income. Below are five tips to help you find the perfect side hustle for you.

1. Identify your skills and interests: Consider your skills, interests, and passions. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Your side hustle should capitalize on something you're naturally inclined to do that aligns with your strengths and interests.
2. Research the market: Does the market want what you're selling?  Browse job boards, social media, and online marketplaces to gauge interest in your talents.
3. Network: Let your friends, family, and colleagues know you are selling a particular service or product. They know of potential customers or opportunities that are a good fit.
4. Start small: Be bold, and don’t be afraid to start small. You can always scale up your side hustle as you gain momentum and experience.
5. Be prepared to put in the work: A side hustle requires time and effort, so be prepared to work to make it successful.

Recommended Read: 6 Tips to Break The Cycle of Living Paycheck to Paycheck

The Money Wrap-Up

There are many ways to address poverty, like volunteering, donating, and advocating for those in your community. Also, if you feel like you are on the brink of financial stability and being financially overwhelmed, you can work on finding the perfect side hustle to earn income. 

Finding the right side hustle and addressing poverty takes time and effort and requires a multifaceted approach, but it can be a great way to gain new skills and experiences. By taking small steps and making a consistent effort, you can find a side hustle or engage in your community in an enjoyable and meaningful way.

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