January is Poverty Awareness Month. One of the func- tions of the month is talking about how and why poverty continues to impact so many of us, not just in our communities and country, but around the world as well.

Here are some numbers to consider...

There are over 40 million people living in poverty in the United States, according to Catholic Charities.

The Heartland Alliance notes that nearly 70 percent of adults have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts, and almost a third of all Americans have no savings at all.

Poverty doesn't just strain people financially, it's also linked to several serious health issues. Heartland Alliance adds that, “...low-income Americans have higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other chronic conditions, compared to higher-income Americans. Further, poor health also contributes to reduced income, creating a cycle often referred to as the health-

poverty trap.”

Defeating poverty is not something that will happen

overnight. There are several causes that need to be addressed.

So what can we do? Many policies and decisions regarding job creation, wages, tax credits and pay equity, which play large roles in the fight against poverty, are left up to our lawmakers. So using our right to vote to elect people who are careful with taxpayer monies and that make decisions that help ALL Americans is crucial.

In addition to that, we can make sure the spirit of generosity which exists around the holidays doesn't end with them, and lives everyday.

Being kind and donating to those who need it, whether it's money or our time by volunteering with organizations that help those less fortunate in our communities goes a long way. This includes organizations like the Federation for the Homeless, and the Community Lunch Program started by Ruby Gold and Charles Davis that we had an article about on Friday's front page.

The program, which runs for seven weeks at 10 locations from noon to 2 p.m., provides free soups and sand- wiches to those in need.

Most of the food is prepared in the New Hope Community kitchens and is picked up during the week, along with other food items, and distributed to the following locations: Rock Hill United Methodist Church, Liberty United Methodist Church, Monticello United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Monticello, So. Fallsburg First Baptist Church, Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch, Shiloh Baptist Church in Ellenville, Eagle Ridge in Woodridge, United Reform Church, New Hope Community, Inc.

If you want to help or donate, contact the Fallsburg Community Coalition, PO Box 2021, South Fallsburg, NY 12779. The next lunch is scheduled for January 18.

If you missed the article in Friday's paper, it is also on our website, scdemocratonline.com.

Let's all do our part in 2020 and beyond to end poverty.