More North Texas Children Living In Poverty
SHERMAN (CBSDFW.COM) - Many Americans don't know where their next meal will come from and the number of kids who live in poverty is rising in North Texas.
Children's Medical Center released a report showing the poverty rate in Collin County at 8.3-percent. The number in Grayson County is much higher at 19.9-percent and according to the report Denton County has a rate at 9.4-percent.
CBS 11 went to Sherman, an area of Grayson County, where parents are concerned.
Two years ago Jeffrey Walker had a good job, installing fiber optic networks, but a motorcycle wreck left him in a coma for 16 months and now he survives on disability and help for social service agencies in Sherman.
Walker is one of a growing number of people in Grayson County trying to raise children while living at the poverty level.
Social service agencies say they are also struggling to keep enough food, clothing and money for prescriptions available to residents who need it.
"I feel right now the economy in this area is now beginning to catch up with the nation," explained Pastor Albert Fisher, of Key Memorial United Methodist Church in Sherman.
Pastor Fisher runs the food bank at the church and sees many new families every week; a growing number of them senior citizens.
Reverend Rock Carpenter counsels adolescents and teens in the McKinney area of Collin County and he says, "everybody is in survival mode and but there is also a level of de-sensitivity."
Carpenters wants local politicians to know the problem is serious and affects even those who are not living in poverty.
There are a number of resources for people in Grayson County, and other counties, that need help. Below are just a few.
Pastor Albert Fisher
Key Memorial United Methodist Church
901 E. Houston
Sherman, Texas
(903) 892-9162
Denison Helping Hands
418 West Chesnut
Denison, Texas 75020
(903) 465-5101
Texoma Council of Governments
1117 Gallagher Drive
Sherman, Texas
(903) 813-3510
Anyone needing assistance can also call 211.
