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The working poor are a reality in Bedford County

By MARK McGEE ~ Executive Director, United Way of Bedford County
Posted 11/22/19

We are plunging headlong into what is known as the "Season of Giving," and a question I want everyone to ask themselves is, "What kind of gifts are you giving your community, especially for those in need?" No one can dispute Bedford County has a great deal of needy people. Want some numbers to prove it?...

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The working poor are a reality in Bedford County

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We are plunging headlong into what is known as the "Season of Giving," and a question I want everyone to ask themselves is, "What kind of gifts are you giving your community, especially for those in need?"

No one can dispute Bedford County has a great deal of needy people. Want some numbers to prove it?

Well, ALICE has the numbers. ALICE is an acronym for "Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed," in a study funded by United Way International, which includes figures through 2017.

The ALICE Threshold counts households -- working men and women and their families -- that earn more than the Federal poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living in Bedford County.

In 2017, 28 percent of households in Bedford County were at the ALICE level. An additional 16 percent were at the Federal poverty level. A staggering 44 percent of households in Bedford County are not able to cover the basic costs of living here.

A breakdown of household types shows that 28 percent of families with children are at the ALICE level and 24 percent are at the poverty level. Only 48 percent of households with children produced enough income in 2017 to meet or exceed the basic cost of living in Bedford County.

ALICE also has developed a "Household Survival Budget" for Bedford County. Single adults need a salary of $19,092 and a family with two adults (one infant and one toddler) must make $51,480 a year to survive.

When each town in the county is studied, 53 percent of households in Bedford County are failing to make enough money for the basic costs of living. Wartrace had the highest number of households below the ALICE basic level at 55 percent. Bell Buckle was the lowest with 32 percent and Unionville was at 39 percent.

So what does all of this mean? It means needs are great in this county. There are a number of fine non-profits working to help.

United Way of Bedford County helps provide funds for 15 different partners including the Community Clinic, Boys and Girls Clubs, Caregiver Relief, Senior Citizens Center, CASA Works, Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program, First Choice Pregnancy, the Community Development Center (Family Support and Early Intervention), Haven of Hope, Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity, Bedford County 4-H, Humane Association, Imagination Library and the Tennessee Poison Control Center.

Our annual "Stuff the Bus" program provided a record 10,000 individual items and 152 cases of school supplies for children in need. Our backpack program makes sure children go home with something to eat, especially on weekends.

In addition, we provide funding to United Way for its 2-1-1 Helpline, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The helpline provides information and referrals to those in need assistance during a time of crisis such as food, rent subsidies, healthcare or unemployment.

The UWBC board members urge everyone in Bedford County to step up and make a donation to help our community. All funds raised remain in Bedford County, and all decisions about which agencies to fund are made by local volunteers.

While many of you provide support in a number of ways, we want to also want to point out donations can be made through our secure website at www.unitedwaybedford.org. Please make either a one-time gift or a sustaining gift to help UWBC provide even more assistance in 2020.

Thank you all for your consideration with best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.