Whenever the word poverty is mentioned, it evokes images of starving children in Africa or other developing countries that are the poster child for abject poverty.

However, it is a little known fact that over 14 million American children live below the poverty line. Considering how many well off Americans there are, we are often tempted to ignore the plight of these children.

The rise in poverty levels has been attributed to the recent economic downturn, where less people are being able to meet the high cost of living. The losers in this scenario are the children who are forced to live without basic health care, proper nourishment and educational opportunities.

Sometimes it might seem that even one individual’s contribution is not able to stem the tide of poverty as it is just a drop in the ocean. However, even that drop in the ocean can mean a lot for that one child whose medical and nutritional supplies will be taken care of. Another drop may take care of another child’s plight and just like that; all these children can be helped, drop by drop.

If you seek to make a difference, you can get in touch with church and civic groups which are constantly in need of donations and volunteers to help these children. Alternatively, there are charitable organizations that have the know-how to make very little money go a very long way, and this way you know that your money is being put to very good use. They can be searched online.

Whichever way you choose, you can make a difference today.
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