Poverty In Westchester

Pelham MIddle School 8th grade students are trying to make a difference in Westchester! 

Roughly 10% of Americans in Westchester county are living in poverty as of 2026. That is about 90,000 people! Well what even is poverty? And what does it mean to live in poverty? Living in poverty means that people do not earn enough money each year to be considered financially stable. This level of income is known as the national poverty line. Citizens living in poverty often lack access to clean water, healthy food, accessible healthcare and proper clothing. 

This is a significant issue in America, often caused by low paying jobs, including those that only pay minimum wage. Many children who grow up in poverty face serious health risks such as stunted growth, lead poisoning, malnutrition, and more frequent hospitalization. They may also struggle to receive good education because their families cannot afford school supplies or a higher school education. 

You might be asking yourself, “How can I help?”  Well, some great ways to make a difference is by donating clothing, canned food, non perishable food items or money. There are several good organizations  to do this near Pelham such as: HOPE Soup Kitchen in  New Rochelle. 50 Washington Ave. The minimum age to volunteer is 13, however, parental or adult supervision will be needed. Fourteen and older are allowed to volunteer by themselves Monday to Friday. You can reach them at  (914) 636-4010 or email info@hope-cs.org . Another great place to help is Pots Community Kitchen at Webster Avenue, Bronx, New York, 10458. They can be contacted at (718) 220-4892, and finally, Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon, New York. They can be reached at ( 914) 668-1428. Thanks in advance for your support.