Poverty increases in the SE Appalchian Ohio region

From the Portsmouth Daily Times (Scioto County)

http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2008/01/12/news/local_news/1news_povertyrankings.txt
Poverty rate is second highest

Friday, January 11, 2008 10:44 PM EST

Study: Scioto levels at 25.3 percent, Athens County ranks first

By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer

A full quarter of Scioto County residents are living in poverty, according to a U.S. Census study just released.

The report, which analyzed data from 2005, indicates poverty is worsening in the region.

In the latest figures released by the U.S. Census, Scioto County is shown to have a poverty level of 25.3 percent, compared to 18.9 percent in 2004.

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Anita Casper, director of The Potter's House Ministry - on Winchester Avenue in Sciotoville, said there is a recent phenomenon the ministry has not seen in the past at the food bank.

“We are seeing more of the working class coming in,” she said. “That's a new trend for us. More of the working class not making ends meet.”

Casper said The Potter's House is providing food for people who may have more than one job.

“Some of these people are working a minimum wage and sometimes two minimum wage jobs, and they still can't make ends meet,” she said.

Much more... this is a MUST READ article.