New Kids Count report examines poor communities
Some of the most poor families in the country live in Northern Michigan.
A Kids Count study released Thursday by the Michigan League For Human Services show 21.5% of children in Chippewa County live in a high poverty household.
21.1% in Roscommon County, 20.3% in Isabella County, 11.7% in Cheboygan County, and 8.5% of the children in Wexford County also live in a home where their parents make less than $22,000 a year.
Benzie Area Christian Neighbors Executive Director Gerri VanAntwerp says, "As needs in the area began to grow the churches found they weren't capable of handling all the requests."
With the government not able to help everyone, churches are overwhelmed with families in need. Benzie Area Christian Neighbors is trying to take some of the pressure off, and offering help to anyone that walks through the doors.
BACN helps about 3,000 children a year with food, clothing, and vision screening.
