CLEARFIELD – Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield) has joined members of the House Majority Policy Committee in a discussion concerning rural poverty. That discussion is a part of a larger committee effort, Empowering Opportunities: Gateways Out of Poverty, which seeks to identify challenges to families across Pennsylvania, which prevent them from rising out of poverty.
In Clearfield County, statistics from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania show that 15 percent of all residents live in poverty, including 25 percent of the county’s children. In addition, 16 percent of the population receives assistance in the form of food stamps.
“This is an area that flourished at one time,” Sankey said. “It is said that our biggest export is agriculture, but I have a suspicion that it is really our children. They are leaving this area and not coming back.”
In addition to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, committee members heard from local community groups and leaders, including officials from Clearfield County Community Action, the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania and local faith-based organizations.
“So many people fall through the cracks,” said Sister Therese Dush, director of the Anawim Community, an organization that assists impoverished residents in Clearfield County. “It can be challenging to meet the exact requirements of a state or federal assistance program.”
Joining Sankey at the hearing were Reps. Adam Harris (R-Snyder/Mifflin/Juniata), Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong) and House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Dave Reed (R-Indiana.)
Hearings for Empowering Opportunities will continue across the state, with discussion focusing on urban, rural and suburban poverty.
Questions about this or any other legislative topic may be directed to Sankey via email atTsankey@pahousegop.com or through his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RepSankey.