2019 World Day of the Poor

"Before all else, the poor need God and his love, made visible by “the saints next door”, people who by the simplicity of their lives express clearly the power of Christian love."

- Pope Francis, Third World Day of the Poor

How Catholic Charities Helps Those Who are Poor

Helped welcome and integrate over 300,000 immigrants, refugees, and asylees.

Responded to 26 natural disasters in 28 states and all 5 US territories

Fed nearly 10 million people, served 120,500 meals per day and prepared a total 44 million meals

National Poverty Facts

What Poverty Looks Like in the United States

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2018, out of the more than 327.1 million people, 38.1 million people lived in poverty in the United States.  That means the poverty rate for 2018 was 11.8%.  This number is determined by the federal government’s official poverty threshold, which in 2018 for a family of four is about $25,285. In 2018, the median income for family households was $63,179.

Source: The U.S. Census Bureau: Income and Poverty in the United States 2018; U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2018-2019 Annual Social and Economic Supplements

Children
In 2018, 16.2% of all children (11.9 million) lived in poverty. That means nearly 1 in 6 children live in poverty. People under the age of 18 represented 22.6% of the total population in 2018 and 31.1% of the people in poverty.

Source: The U.S. Census Bureau: Income and Poverty in the United States 2018; U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2018-2019 Annual Social and Economic Supplements

You Can Help Make a Difference

ADVOCATE

Catholic Charities USA monitors over 200 federal programs impacting millions of people who are poor and vulnerable.  Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Charities USA weighs in on the most critical issues including:  Immigration and Refugee issues, Healthcare Reform, the Farm Bill and Federal Social Safety Net programs.

Learn more about our Advocacy efforts here.

Sign up for Washington Weekly and receive Advocacy Alerts

Promote Awareness

Host a Poverty Simulation
One way to bring about awareness of poverty is to conduct a Poverty Simulation in your parish, school or community.

Learn more about how to host a poverty simulation

Share on Social Media
Use the resources below in social media posts to educate your network about poverty in the United States and how they can help.

World Day of the Poor Resources

Download these graphics and share them with your social networks.
Please tag us @CCharitiesUSA on Instagram and Twitter!

Recent Stories

Lunch among ladies: Parishioners and unhoused women find deep meaning in monthly meals

They call each other “ladies.” That’s because when volunteers from Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland visit Kenton Women’s Village each…

A mentor’s guiding hand, a newfound confidence

Back in late 2021, Joe’s mother reached out to staff at the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago to inquire about…

From hospital to housing, with a little help from friends 

For the past three years, St. Patrick Center, a program of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis,  and BJC HealthCare…
Read More Stories