Poverty Reduction Awareness Week Set

MANISTEE - - - The Poverty Reduction Movement Ad-hoc committee of the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body (HSCB) has established the week of October 4th through the 11th as Poverty Reduction Awareness Week. The theme for the week is "In Their Shoes -- Helping Others - Helping Ourselves".
The Movement will kick-off in area churches Sunday, October 4th. Crop Walk will take place later that day. There will be a host of activities during the week including a Take Back the Night walk, a free community table dinner, a homeless overnight simulation for youth, home repair projects, The Salvation Army winter coat drive, the United Way of Manistee County campaign, and more. The week will close in area churches on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 11th, when church communities are asked to give thanks for what we each have, and thanks for all that we share.
“The movement is an attempt to change the language and perception of poverty in our midst and to educate our local community about the impact of poverty,” said Jim Scranton, Chair of the PRM ad-hoc committee. “We will participate in a continuing dialog and brainstorm ideas for addressing community needs and implementing solutions that reduce poverty rates, build understanding, and improve efficiencies right here in Manistee County.”
The PRM committee is made up of individuals representing area agencies, consumers, churches, and governmental bodies. The formation of the steering committee was the direct result of a statewide November Poverty Summit in Detroit called "Voices for Action" and a two-day region-wide conference held in May in Traverse City featuring Donna Beegle, an authority on poverty.
As Manistee County moves forward to reduce poverty among our neighbors, the HSCB's PRM committee will plan action steps for educating the community and to learn more about what is going on in our community. The committee will work to be sure we have authentic opportunities to help people through awareness week activities.
"We will put a face on poverty in Manistee County," said Scranton. "We have a story to tell, and the main characters are our friends and neighbors right here in Manistee County. For this event, we are looking for community service organizations, churches, governmental bodies, businesses, and individuals to host projects and activities that call awareness to issues of poverty in our communities, or that assist those in need."
The Manistee County HSCB is dedicated to improving the quality of life in our communities by maximizing collaboration, mobilizing support, and providing leadership in identifying community needs and seeking creative, dynamic, efficient and effective solutions. For more information contact the HSCB at hscbmanistee@gmail.com.
For more information about awareness week or to host an event, contact Judy Crockett at the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body at hscbmanistee@gmail.com Learn more about the HSCB on their blog at http:// manisteecountyhscb. blogspot.com If you need community resources, call Manistee County 2-1-1 at 1-877-211-5253.