There are currently 116 families that use the Cheshire Community Food Pantry on a regular basis - and that number is continuing to grow as local residents struggle with the economic conditions.
Patty Hartmann, executive director of the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, told the Cheshire Citizen Wednesday that as many as 260 clients are now eligible to use the service as the poverty rate continues to grow. In the last month alone, 10 new families have come in to seek help.
According to U.S. Census data, the town had a poverty rate of just under 2 percent, but that number may not be accurate as the economy continues to struggle.
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Poverty, according to the U.S. Census, is defined as a individual making an income of $11,139 or less, with families up to four people makingless than $22,314.
In the most recent data, Cheshire had a median income of almost $110,000.
There is some good news, however. Michelle Piccerillo, the town's human services director, told the Citizen that most of those who are coming to seek additional help aren't likely to need the help for long.
“It’s more temporary, though,” she said. “A community like this is hit relatively hard by those particular situations than having someone living here who is steadily under the poverty level. I think most people are seeking assistance to get back on their feet.”
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