Local non-profits are addressing financial insecurity

National Poverty Awareness Month

SALISBURY, Md. – January marks National Poverty Awareness Month, and local non-profits are aiming to help one resident at a time.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 36.8 million people were in poverty in 2023. That breaks down to 11% of the population. Of that number, 27.2% were women and children, while over 34% were African American or Latino. 

Executive Director of the Christian Shelter Anthony Dickerson says poverty can include a lack of resources to meet basic needs like food, water, shelter, and clothing. It can also include not having proper access to health care, education, and having access to transportation.

Dickerson says their goal is to help those most vulnerable. “Some people have what I call a “wisdom deficiency”, they make poor choices, they make bad choices… I think the only time that you should look down on a person is when you’re lifting them up. Because all of us are one tragedy away from being less fortunate, look at the people in California.”

The Christian Shelter is located in Salisbury at 334 Barclay St, and they are open Sunday through Saturday 8:00 am-9:00 pm you can visit their website, or if you can call them at 410-749-5673.