In 2023, the official poverty rate in the U.S. was 11.1%, meaning more than 36 million Americans were living in poverty, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s nearly one in every nine people facing daily challenges to meet basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare.
Poverty alleviation refers to the range of efforts, policies, and community-based solutions designed to reduce the number of people living in poverty and improve their quality of life. It’s not just about emergency relief, it’s about creating lasting opportunities for individuals and families to build stable, self-sufficient futures.
At Americans Helping Americans, we focus our poverty alleviation efforts in Appalachia, a region where poverty rates remain well above the national average. In the sections below, we’ll explore what causes poverty in the U.S., who it affects most, and what real, on-the-ground solutions are making a difference in people’s lives.
Understanding Poverty in the United States
Poverty does not affect all communities equally. Certain groups face higher rates of poverty due to systemic barriers, limited access to resources, and overlapping disadvantages. Here’s how poverty impacts different populations in the U.S., based on the most recent poverty data:
- Children: About 15.3% of children in the U.S., or roughly 11 million, live in poverty. Childhood poverty affects long-term health, education, and development.
- Women: Women experience poverty at a higher rate than men. An estimated 11.9%, or 20.1 million women, live below the poverty line. Single mothers and older women are especially vulnerable.
- Black Americans: 17.9% of Black Americans live in poverty. This rate reflects ongoing racial disparities in employment, education, and access to resources.
- Hispanic Americans: 16.6% of Hispanic Americans live in poverty, often due to a combination of economic, linguistic, and immigration-related challenges.
- Native Americans: Native American communities face the highest poverty rate among racial and ethnic groups at 21.2%. Many live in rural areas with limited infrastructure and support services.
- People with Disabilities: Among adults ages 18 to 64, 22.3% of those with disabilities live in poverty. Limited employment opportunities and high healthcare costs are major contributing factors.
Many individuals experience multiple layers of disadvantage. For example, a woman of color with a disability may face compounded barriers that increase her risk of poverty. Addressing these intersectional issues is essential to creating lasting solutions.
Causes of Poverty in the United States
Poverty in America is shaped by a mix of structural, economic, and social factors. These challenges often overlap, reinforcing cycles of hardship across generations. Understanding how to reduce poverty in the U.S. begins with identifying the root causes that hold individuals and families back. Key contributors include:
Education Levels
- People without a high school diploma or college degree face limited job opportunities and lower lifetime earnings.
- High dropout rates increase the risk of long-term poverty, particularly in underserved communities.
- Even those who pursue higher education may struggle financially due to rising tuition costs and burdensome student loan debt.
- Income inequality continues to grow, leaving many with degrees still unable to secure stable, well-paying jobs.
Access to Healthcare
- Without health insurance or affordable care, people are more likely to delay treatment, leading to worse health outcomes.
- Medical debt is a leading cause of financial strain in low-income households.
- Life expectancy is significantly lower in communities with poor access to healthcare.
- Chronic illness and disability can limit earning potential and lead to long-term poverty.
Access to Nutritious Food
- Food insecurity refers to inconsistent or inadequate access to nutritious food.
- In 2022, 13.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity, according to the USDA.
- Low-income families often rely on cheaper, processed foods, increasing the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
- Lack of access to fresh produce and healthy meals is common in poverty-impacted areas.
Substandard Housing and Unsafe Living Conditions
- Impoverished neighborhoods are more likely to face substandard housing, environmental hazards, and limited infrastructure.
- Families living in unsafe environments often face additional barriers to upward mobility, including trauma and displacement.
Appalachia: A Region in Need
The Appalachian region spans 13 states from southern New York to northern Mississippi, covering more than 400 counties across both rural and mountainous terrain. While rich in culture and natural beauty, Poverty in Appalachia creates persistent economic challenges that raise widespread and ongoing concern.
The region’s median household income is $61,688, just 82% of the national median of $75,149. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%, significantly higher than the U.S. average of 11.5%.
Several factors contribute to these disparities:
- Economic decline: Many communities in Appalachia were historically dependent on industries like coal mining and manufacturing. As those sectors declined, jobs disappeared, and new opportunities failed to emerge.
- Limited infrastructure: Rural isolation and underdeveloped transportation and broadband networks make it harder for residents to access jobs, healthcare, and education.
- Educational barriers: Schools in many Appalachian areas are underfunded, and fewer adults hold college degrees compared to national averages. This limits access to skilled employment and drives long-term economic hardship.
How Americans Helping Americans is Making a Difference in Appalachia
Since our founding in 1990, AHA has been committed to poverty alleviation and creating lasting change in underserved communities, especially throughout Appalachia. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every person deserves access to basic needs, education, and opportunities for a better life.
We work alongside trusted partners across the region to deliver programs that directly support families and children living in poverty. Our focus includes providing food, clothing, safe housing, and access to education and job training. You can learn more about the history of Americans Helping Americans and how our programs have evolved to meet the unique needs of Appalachia.
Today, our areas of service span multiple states and are designed to empower local communities. From youth education initiatives to housing rehabilitation and job readiness programs, we are dedicated to addressing poverty at its roots and building pathways to stability and independence.
Key Programs and Their Impact
Our work in Appalachia is hands-on and community-driven. By collaborating with local partners and listening to those we serve, we’ve developed programs that meet urgent needs while also creating long-term opportunity. In 2024 alone, thousands of individuals and families directly benefited from our core initiatives, which offer real, community-based solutions to poverty in the US, from emergency food aid to long-term educational support.
Food Security Initiatives
Through our Food Box Program, we help families stretch their grocery budgets and ensure access to nourishing meals. Each box contains enough food to feed a family of four for one week. We distribute these boxes in partnership with trusted food banks, churches, and local organizations.
In 2024, we distributed over 10,000 food boxes across Appalachia, reaching approximately 40,000 individuals in need. Events like the “Good Food Fest” at Friendship Central School brought communities together around food, health, and support.
Education Support
Our Education Program provides critical academic resources for students across Appalachia, including school supplies, tutoring, and extracurricular support.
We also offer the Teachers Grant Program, which funds classroom materials and special projects that enhance learning for Appalachian students.
The Want2Work Initiative enables vocational and technical schools to apply for grants that remove financial barriers for students pursuing career training. In 2024, more than 500 young adults received support through this initiative.
For those needing help to finish high school, our Vocational Training Support for young adults program offers resources for earning a GED and transitioning into skilled work or further education.
Home Rehabilitation
Our Home Rehabilitation Program helps low-income homeowners address critical safety issues. Repairs often include fixing roofs, replacing unstable floors, rebuilding stairs, or repairing porches. Safe, stable housing lays the foundation for improved health and financial security.
Basic Needs Assistance
Meeting everyday essentials is a crucial part of poverty alleviation. Through our provision of essentials, we provide coats, blankets, footwear, hygiene supplies, and emergency aid for utility bills or rent.
Whatever the cause, every program we run is rooted in compassion and built for impact.
Success Stories: Transforming Lives
Behind every statistic is a person with a story. Our programs are not just numbers, they’re pathways to independence, hope, and renewed purpose. These real-life testimonials highlight how Americans Helping Americans is changing lives in Appalachia.
A Young Mother’s Journey Toward Becoming a Nurse
SJ, a young mother in Appalachia, dreamed of becoming a nurse but struggled to afford the costs associated with school. Through our Want2Work Initiative, SJ received a grant that helped cover essential expenses like tuition, scrubs, and certification tests.
Balancing parenting and her studies wasn’t easy, but SJ remained determined:
“I’m doing this to give my son a better life, but I am also doing this for me. I have found a passion I absolutely love.”
Her story reflects the impact of Want2Work, which supports students across the region in pursuing meaningful careers, especially in high-demand fields like healthcare. In places like Estill County ATC, the program has also helped students experiencing homelessness by providing basic gear so they can continue attending class with dignity and confidence.
Stories like these show that if you’re looking for how to help people in poverty, supporting access to education and job training can have the most transformative impact.
Feeding Communities, One Food Box at a Time
In McDowell County, West Virginia, access to nutritious food is a daily challenge. Even with USDA assistance, many families, especially grandparents raising children, struggle to make ends meet. Our Food Box Program steps in to fill that gap.
One of the most uplifting examples is the “Good Food Fest” held at Friendship Central School. Families came together not just to receive food, but to learn how to cook healthy, budget-friendly meals using food box ingredients. The event combined nutrition education with practical skills, making the program more empowering and community-oriented.
As Dyanne Spriggs of Big Creek People in Action put it:
“It is the people who are simply trying to provide for their families.”
With the end of many COVID-era federal food benefits, programs like this are more important than ever. By bridging the widening gap in food security, we’re helping families stay nourished, informed, and connected to their communities.
How You Can Help People in Poverty
Poverty in Appalachia is persistent, but it’s not permanent. With the right support, families can access food, education, housing, and job opportunities that change their lives for good. At AHA, every program we run, from food security to vocational training, is powered by the generosity of people like you.
Your support helps us reach communities where help is needed most. Whether you’re funding a box of groceries, a set of school supplies, or a nursing student’s certification exam, you’re making a real difference.
You can:
- Make a donation to directly support children, families, and seniors living in poverty.
- Explore our programs to see the full scope of our impact.
- Learn more about our impact and discover the lives being changed every day.
Together, we can continue building stronger, more hopeful communities across Appalachia.
