Jennifer Brzoska and Thomas Hughes are just two of the 2.6 million people new to poverty this year.
"I've never been in the position," Brzoska said. The two spent their Tuesday afternoon at Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, waiting along with several others for food and gas money help.
The number of Americans in poverty jumped to 15.1 percent in 2010, a 27-year high, according to new data from the Census Bureau. About 46.2 million people, or nearly 1 in 6, were already in poverty. That's up from 14.3 percent in 2009. It was the highest level since 1983.
The number of people lacking health insurance increased to almost 50 million. The main reason for the increase was people losing employer-provided insurance in the weak economy.
The median - or midpoint - household income was $49,445 dollars, a 2.3 percent decline from 2009.
Viewers were discussing the new numbers on our Facebook page. Several said they sadly weren't surprised by the numbers, and many qualified for the income to be considered at our below the poverty level.
"I know how they feel I only make 9K," Richard Lee Glover commented.
"My total income for a year is bout 12,000. I'm single but that's near enough to live on," Tom Collins wrote.
Not everyone agreed. "Wouldn't cover our mortgage for the year on one persons income!" Kristie Cavanaugh-Oliver replied.
Along the Grand Strand, many social service agencies we spoke with on the phone Tuesday say they've seen increases in new clients in need.
Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach crisis counselor Lisa Buie says they're nervous as their numbers are the highest they have ever been.
Several said they sadly weren't surprised by the numbers, and many qualified for the income to be considered at our below the poverty level.
"I know how they feel I only make 9K," Richard Lee Glover commented.
"My total income for a year is bout 12,000. I'm single but that's near enough to live on," Tom Collins wrote.
Not everyone agreed. "Wouldn't cover our mortgage for the year on one persons income!" Kristie Cavanaugh-Oliver replied.
Along the Grand Strand, many social service agencies we spoke with on the phone Tuesday say they've seen increases in new clients in need.
Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach crisis counselor Lisa Buie says they're nervous as their numbers are the highest they have ever been. Just last month, NewsChannel 15 did a story about new statistics showing 1 in 7 people now receive some amount of food stamps. Buie says that it's going to take a lot to turn these trends around.
For more details on the poverty rates, click here
