The Economy Grew Last Year, But Poor Americans Needed More Charity

(April 13) – While broad economic measures improved last year, one measure of the acute needs of poor Americans worsened. It’s another example of a two-tiered recovery in which wealthier households have advanced while middle- and lower-income Americans struggle, a theme in this year’s presidential race. The Salvation Army’s Human Needs Index, which measures seven types of poverty-related assistance provided at the charity’s 7,500 centers, turned upward, reversing sharp improvement it showed in 2013-14.