GENESEE COUNTY -- New numbers show poverty is on the rise in America. Last week the U.S. Census Bureau released numbers showing that nearly one in six Americans live in poverty. The Detroit News is reporting the poverty rate is at 15. 1 percent.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008 19 million people lived in working poor families. In Genesee County roughly 83-thousand residents do not know where their next meal will come from.
There is new concern that number will soar with the state's new welare limit set to kick in October 1st.
"The big fear is that we as we move forward over the next few years and months and with the changes in regulation there are going to be more and more people who have to look for a pantry or church or a food bank in order to eat that day, " said Bill Kerr, with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
NBC25 spoke with one woman who is trying to not be a statistic and get herself back in the workforce. Rachael Luther has been looking for work for more than 14 months with no luck.
"I do receive some unemployment so I do get a little bit of income and I do what I can to make ends meet, " said Luther.
The former restaurant manage and car salesman recently signed up for a 19 day job placement training course through Flint Strive in an effort to find a job.`
"Flint Strive has taught me so much from resume writing skills, to how to conduct myself in an interview and on how to dress," said Luther.
Flint Strive Senior Job Developer Shari Waltei says the amount of people coming in for help as jumped from 200 to 600 in one year. "Typically we make them have 185 to 200 touches a year which means contact with employers. In this market sitting at the internet does nothing," said Waltei.
Waltei says people from all walks of life need help.
"We've had people with no high school education who can't read or write and then we've had people with college educations.
Flint Strive has an 83% success rate and it's something Rachael is banking on to get back into restaurant management.
"I'm going to have to start at the bottom up and work my way back into it," said Rachel.
