We agree. It is the most wonderful time of the year.
True, the spirit of the holidays comes with some stress. Take those gift lists, sales prices, shopping, baking, decorating and entertaining, for example.
But don’t let what’s really important about the season get lost in the holiday rush. And that’s giving. No not to just your own family but to those in need.
From social media posts to the bell-ringers, from church bulletins to direct mail requests, we’re reminded to think of helping others.
Why must our thoughts turn to poverty, hunger and homelessness now? Because plenty of our fellow West Virginians need help now.
Some may question this never-ending need in the face of what have become cliches as “It’s the season” or “It’s better to give than receive.” But we’ll cite statewide and local statistics instead to prove why your donations, food or time is needed.
West Virginia’s poverty rate was 17.8% in 2018, according to Census data. That’s 6% higher than the national average.
Even in prosperous counties like Monongalia and Cabell the poverty rate hit 21.3% and 23.2%, respectively.
Needless to say, in some southern counties, such as McDowell and Mingo, it was 34.9% and 28.9%, respectively.
Look a little deeper if you want for proof of the need. Only about a month ago Monongalia County’s school district was serving 235 students it considers to be homeless.
Similarly, some 5,000 of the district’s 12,000 students are eligible for free lunches and thousands more for reduced lunch. For some individual schools, that percentage is higher.
Give that some thought. More than half the students in Monongalia’s public schools live in homes where it’s tough to make ends meet for food.
This need for help, though, is not limited by age and of course is never seasonal.
Elderly West Virginians also struggle, but are less likely to live in poverty, thanks in large part to Social Security. Among those 85 and older, 11.4% lived in poverty in 2018.
State women are more often living in poverty than men — 19.3% in 2018. The poverty rate for men in West Virginia was 16.2%. And poverty remains a serious problem by race, too, in West Virginia. For blacks the state’s poverty rate was 29.7% in 2018.
For the record, the federal poverty level for a household of two is about $16,500. Add another $4,420 for each additional family member.
Of course, donations don’t have to be cash. Volunteers are also in constant need.
So in the next few weeks, don’t overlook local social service organizations seeking help for others by donating your time, treasure or talent.
Plenty of your neighbors will be grateful. The statistics prove it.
