Poverty in Sunnyvale: People don't usually associate Sunnyvale with poverty or people in need, but sadly, they should. United Way Silicon Valley identified Sunnyvale as one of the two fastest growing poverty areas in the county. 27% of the city’s 140,000 population falls equally into extremely low, very low, and just plain low income categories using national standards not adjusted for our higher cost of living. Second Harvest Food Bank identified a Sunnyvale zip code, since divided into two, as among the ten neediest in the county in terms of hunger and food insecurity (not having enough food throughout the month). Over 40% of Sunnyvale School District’s students qualify for free or reduced price meals. Phenomenal Boom: Over the years, SCS has been able to raise more and more funds in order to meet skyrocketing need. The charts to the right illustrate our catchy but unfortunate slogan: Our Business is Booming, and That’s Not Good. In 2008-09, we experienced the biggest one year increase in our 40 year history, providing $751,000 in financial aid compared to $610,000 the prior year. In 2009-10, we provided $1,647,000 in financial aid. This amount included one-time stimulus grant funding and other one-time grants awarded in recognition of the economic crisis. Even when all these one-time funds are excluded, we still distributed over $84,000 more in 2009-10 than we did in 2008-09. The number of families participating in our food programs has doubled from 750 to 1,500 in the last five years. Not only do more people come to us for help; they also now come every month for food rather than once every few months. To comply with funders’ requirements, we record every time an individual receives food from us during the year. Four years ago, we provided food to 29,000 people; three years ago, 34,000; two years ago, 55,000; last year, 60,700 excluding stimulus funded food boxes—72,000 when including them. Housing: Santa Clara County has the highest real estate values in the country. Many SCS clients pay 70%-80% of their monthly income for rent. Someone working all year full-time for California’s minimum wage grosses $16,640 a year, barely enough for a one-bedroom apartment let alone food, clothing, and transportation. Health Care: More and more clients who have medical benefits cannot afford higher co-payments and uncovered medical and prescriptions expenses, especially seniors. A growing number of medications are not covered by insurance companies, and many others are now sold over-the-counter and aren’t covered by any insurance. Gas Prices: Low-income families’ budgets were already stretched when a gallon of gas cost only $2. With skyrocketing prices at the pump, many of our clients have had to change their primary or second jobs because they couldn’t afford the gas to get to and from work or between their two jobs. Other Reasons: Costly car repairs, seasonal and weather-dependent work, long waiting periods for benefits especially for disabilities, lost rent when roommates move, and death related expenses. More Complications: The local unemployment rate doesn’t count those whose unemployment benefits run out Many laid-off employees cannot afford COBRA payments Contract, temporary, and part-time employees who do not receive any benefits including paid sick leave lose pay when they or their children are sick or go to a doctor Recent changes make many veterans ineligible for care through VA Hospitals HMO and Medicare co-payments are increasing Insurance doesn’t cover over-the-counter medications There is a long waiting list for in-home support services for seniors Families reaching the five-year lifetime welfare limit lose the subsidy they received if their jobs pay below the poverty level Bus service has been cut and prices raised affecting the elderly, students, and the poor Military reservists’ families call for help as military pay doesn’t come close to their salaries Due to decreased funding, nonprofit agencies in all fields have slashed their budgets and services