Oklahoma's Jewish Community Helping Fight Poverty

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The nation's poverty rate is at its highest ever according to the U.S. Census. In Oklahoma nearly half a million residents make just under $22,000 a year to support a family of four, but one local community is helping those in need.

"With the recession, it's more of a problem than ever," said Michael Pollack, a volunteer coordinator.

September is Hunger Action Month, so many from Oklahoma City's Jewish community volunteered at the Regional Food Bank.

"I thought we're going to get 100 people, turns out we'll probably get 500," Pollack said.

Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish people was Saturday, where many fasted for 24 hours.

"And doing that, they got a taste of what it's like for people to be hungry, who have no choice. We all did it by choice for a day," Pollack said.

The latest U.S. Census numbers show more Americans than ever before are struggling financially and one in seven are suffering from poverty.

"There's a 28 percent increase of food over last year so the need is great. The economy in Oklahoma, even though it hasn't been affected like the rest of the country, the need is still there," said Joe Wood, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Volunteer Operations Manager.

"Obviously that translates into hunger, because people don't have enough money, don't have enough to eat, and I think it's just atrocious that in our affluent society there are people in the numbers that they are going hungry," Pollack said.

Experts predict the poverty rate will climb given the struggling economy.