Parkersburg Reflects State-Wide Trend of Growing Poverty

(Sep. 18) – Data from the U.S. census Bureau shows West Virginia has the ninth highest poverty rate in the nation. This translates to almost 20% of West Virginians living in poverty. While these numbers may seem high, volunteer officials in Parkersburg say the local community seems to be having just as big of a struggle. A Salvation Army official says the demand for their services is extremely high and still growing. “When I found out that we had a budget to help and assistance of a thousand dollars, we quadrupled that to four thousand, and then six thousand,” said Major Mike Morton. “And we’re still running out of funds. So were seeing an unprecedented demand for our services and our assistance. People are coming to us everyday looking for the basics.”