City poverty rates trump county, state

The tantalizing scent of mashed potatoes brimming with gravy, sweet potatoes and turkey with cranberry sauce will waft throughout households today.

The Thanksgiving Day holiday, and its concept of feasting, however, also illuminates the gap between the fortunate and the poverty-stricken who will seek hunger relief from food pantries, soup kitchens and holiday food baskets.

The effects of poverty are varied and run the gamut from deteriorating health to poor self-confidence to hunger.

“(Poverty) has an effect on different social outcomes,” said Brenda Procter, an MU consumer and family economics extension specialist. “Children may develop self-esteem issues over time. Unfortunately, what we wear and what we own can sometimes affect our self-image.”

Approximately 19.2 percent of an estimated 89,000 Columbians live below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s State and County QuickFacts. The city’s poverty rate is higher than Boone County’s overall rate of 14.5 percent and significantly higher than Missouri’s rate of 11.7 percent. In 2004, the bureau’s poverty weighted average threshold for a family of four was $19,307.

In the Columbia School District, the number of students living in poverty is measured by eligibility in the free and reduced-price meal program. In 2005, 31.1 percent or 4,902 students were eligible. The state’s eligibility rate is 41.8 percent, or 364,111 Missouri students.

The significance of the district’s school meal program is highlighted by Lynn Barnett, assistant superintendent for student support services.

“It’s important that (students’) basic needs are met,” she said. “If you’re hungry or tired, you won’t be able to learn.”

In Boone County, food stamp benefits have increased twofold during the last five years. Since 2000, benefits have increased from $7.7 million to $15.4 million in the 2005 fiscal year, which ended in June. From July to October, slightly more than $1.3 million was issued in benefits to 6,437 county households accounting for 16,003 individuals. The average value of monthly benefits per household and person was $203.17 and $81.72, respectively.

Although county food stamp benefits have increased over the years, more and more residents are increasingly turning to food relief organizations to help stretch food dollars.

“Food pantries are an invaluable resource to our state,” said Deborah Scott, associate director of Missouri Department of Social Services. “Charitable organizations provide tremendous service to low-income families.”

In Columbia, the Central Missouri Food Bank is one example of an organization that provides free food to hunger relief agencies. Founded in 1981, CMFB works with 142 non-profit organizations throughout 33 counties in central and northeast Missouri. More than 91,000 individuals live at or below the poverty level in the counties served by CMFB.

CMFB is conducting its annual “Check Out Hunger” campaign through Dec. 31 in participating grocery stores. Customers can opt to donate by adding cash donations to their grocery bills.

“It’s a way for us to raise money and awareness in the counties we serve,” said Heather Duren, CMFB’s director of development. All proceeds raised in a county will be redistributed within the particular county, she said.

Last year, the campaign raised more than $18,000, allowing CMFB to purchase 360,000 pounds of foods. An additional 270,000 meals were able to be served.

All Boone County grocery stores will be participating with the exception of Wal-Mart stores and Moser’s Discount Foods in Ashland, Duren said.