The Working Poor
Someone working full time, year-round at the current minimum wage earns just over $16,600, pre-tax — which puts an individual with just one dependant below the poverty level. With this in mind, it is easy to see why the working poor is one of the largest groups relying on emergency food services in our community. Learn more below about our city's working poor with key statistics and stories from the people we help.
- Almost one out of every two (43.3 percent) households receiving emergency food in Contra Costa and Solano counties included at least one employed adult. (Faces of Hunger: a study of Hunger and Food Insecurity in Contra Costa and Solano, 2006)
- 50.5 percent of all client households had monthly incomes less than $1,000. (Faces of Hunger: a study of Hunger and Food Insecurity in Contra Costa and Solano, 2006)
- 16 percent households accessing emergency food are enrolled in the federal Food Stamp Program, lower than the overall average of 46 percent. It is likely that many more are eligible. (Faces of Hunger: a study of Hunger and Food Insecurity in Contra Costa and Solano, 2006)
Real Stories
Read stories below from low-income individuals and families who have received assistance through our Food Assistance Program. Real names are not used.
Ruby, Food Assistance recipient
Ruby is a single working mother of two children. She just recently started going to our Food Assistance Program distribution and it is helping her a lot. Ruby says, “The food from here helps my money go further especially the canned food and bread."
Patricia, Food Assistance recipient
Patricia has been cleaning house but barely made $500 last month. Normally a book-keeper, she can’t find work and has been out of work since last October. This was her first visit to the Food Assistance Program. Her son works but he is a full-time student so he can’t really contribute to her household. She told us that she is excited about the bread. “I haven’t had bread in weeks. I get shampoo from fast food restaurants by squirting what hand soap I can into a cup. I get napkins from fast food places to use as tissue. I am an educated woman. I don’t do drugs. I am finding myself in a weird spot. These are tough times.”