Poverty in Oklahoma City - Blog Action Day 2008

Day 124 - Oct 15

As a participant of Blog Action Day 2008, I wanted to spend time in this post highlighting some of the poverty statistics in Oklahoma City and the people and organizations doing something to help the poor.

pov·er·ty
–noun
1. the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor; indigence.

Oklahoma City, OK - Persons below poverty, percent, 1999: 16.0%
Oklahoma City, OK - Persons below poverty, percent, 2006: 17.0%

The study showed 587,591 Oklahomans were estimated with income below the poverty level, which in 2006 was $20,000 for a family of four.
*according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey

According to these numbers poverty is steadily increasing for the citizens of Oklahoma City. Here are some of the agencies and organizations trying to help the poor:

Travelers Aid and Homeless Assistance Center’s mission is to elevate the needy, homeless and stranded travelers to a position of self-sufficiency.

The Dorothy Day Center is a food pantry that serves the greater metropolitan area of Oklahoma City.

Reaching our City’s Mission is to assist in developing a community of people who are spiritually, emotionally, and physically equipped to use their God-given talents to bring about permanent and positive growth of their families and neighborhood.

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s mission is to help the charitable community effectively feed people in need.
Food Bank Facts: During fiscal year 2008, the Food Bank distributed 25 million pounds of food and other products to hungry Oklahomans.

BritVil Community Food Pantry is privileged to have the opportunity to serve our great God by providing food to those in need.

Mercy Ministries’s vision is to offer compassion to the poor and the needy. The purpose is to provide food, clothing and tangible forms of God’s love.

I serve regularly throughout the month at Mercy Ministry and I highly recommend everyone get involved with an organization that is meeting the needs of the hungry and the poor in your area. If you don’t have time to volunteer, make a monetary donation or a donation of clothing or food. We can all do something to help the poor. Take the time today to make a difference in your area. The names of the organizations above will take you to their websites so you can get more information about becoming involved.

Share: