January is National Poverty Month

NTFB and its agency partners are working together to target the underlying barriers to food security, which is a major factor in poverty.

At NTFB, we know that hunger and poverty are inextricably linked, which is why we and our agency partners strive to empower neighbors for long-term self-sufficiency. That means not only providing access to nutritious meals but also to holistic support programs that target the underlying barriers to food security.

Each January, Community Action Partnership works to raise awareness of poverty in America with National Poverty Awareness Month. The month grew out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s agenda more than 60 years ago when he declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America.” During Johnson’s tenure, Congress passed legislation to address poverty by enacting programs like Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP.

Today, an estimated 40 million Americans live in poverty, including around 4.1 million Texans, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. At around 14%, Texas and the Dallas area have poverty rates above the national average of 11.5%. Some rural Texas counties have even higher rates, including Navarro County in NTFB’s service area, which has a poverty rate of 16.8%.

The issue is especially acute among children as nearly 20%, or 1 in 5, children in Texas live in poverty. A family of four is considered living in poverty if their income falls below $32,130.

NTFB’s strategic plan, Fulfilling Futures, calls for us to empower neighbors for long-term self-sufficiency by providing access to nutritious food as well as holistic support programs that target the underlying barriers to food security, such as financial coaching, job skills training or health care. This is done, in part, through Hope for Tomorrow grants that NTFB awards to agency partners looking to add or expand wraparound services.

The Whole & Empowered program at NTFB partner Harmony CDC is one of those holistic support programs that received a Hope for Tomorrow grant. The 12-month program offers women counseling, case management with financial education, and life coaching with career support—all with the goal of creating thriving women and communities.

Said one single mom who earned a better paying job while launching a business during Whole & Empowered: “The program helped me excel and just find my way.” During the program, she learned about budgeting and financial management. She also earned a physical training certification and is working toward a certification in nutrition.