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What does it take to make poverty an important news story? In today's world, the common every day people who may be doing nothing more than living from hand to mouth, barely making it from paycheck to paycheck, may be overlooked more often than not. This is something some have seen with the floods that have recently been ravaging the midwest, displacing thousands, and forcing everyone, rich and poor, from their homes.

While the well-to-do may have someplace warm and dry to stay, either through the money they spend on one, or through the support and help of relatives that can afford for them to stay in their homes, the poor (or suddenly poverty stricken) may be forced to live in their vehicles, or if they do not own one, they might be lucky enough to find room in the homeless shelter that has been started in a local high school. If this shelter is full, or if displacement could be an issue with being forced into homelessness, they may feel the need to take cover where ever they can find someplace to hide from the shame of being left uncared for and unthought of. Many of these poverty stricken, though hardworking and still most often employed (though just as often underemployed), will still have severe property losses and other types of losses that cannot be replaced, due to the simple fact of not enough relief funds being available for what losses have occurred.

Many who are fortunate enough to still have vehicles are just as unfortunately left with the shock of having no place to be, and are wandering aimlessly through the streets and around the neighboring communities, so as not to be chased off by the local police for sitting in one place for too long. They are being forced to spend what little money they have left on gas to keep on moving with, therefore going hungry.

Are these frightened, lonely, seemingly uncared for people not newsworthy, just because they cannot afford what expenses these types of disasters may bring? I'd think not. These are the seemingly unsung heroes who will still give the shirt off their backs to someone who may be just a little less fortunate than themselves. They will gladly guide you and share what little they have found to help themselves with, looking for and finding the friendships that bind us together more than any amount of money ever can. You will rarely ever hear these very clearly poverty stricken people complain, yet you know they have been suffering.

Some that have been wealthy in the past were also struck down to nothing through severe flood losses, and are now learning and experiencing what it is to be poverty stricken. Though many will turn there heads the other way, just to talk to someone will bring some welcome relief. Everyone has a story to tell, and these stories have been news all along, whether or not it is picked up as such.

People say that the Red Cross will help, hence the local shelter at the high school. This is all the help that is presently available, according to the local Red Cross Chapter. Many say that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will have money available, however, until one goes fully through the application process, there is no way to know for certain if, or when, these funds could be available. Until then, we are left in the present moment of having too many poverty-stricken people left out on the streets with nowhere to go. Is this news? I would have to say, undeniably, yes.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer L. Thompson.
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