Boris and Penka Ivanoska are Russian immigrants who moved to town in the early 1990’s after the fall of the Soviet Union. They came to the US to seek new opportunities and for health reasons. They live with their son and daughter-in-law and three school-aged grandsons. Boris and Penka had professional careers in the Soviet Union, but upon moving to the States, they discovered that this area offers a limited number of jobs for older people with limited English skills. Their son and daughter-in-law have college degrees and full-time jobs but they struggle to make ends meet. Boris and Penka help them out with child care costs by watching the boys after school.
Boris and Penka receive $705/month in social security benefits. Boris’ part-time job pays $482/month. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $783/month. They are enrolled in Medicaid, but spend $30/month for prescription co-pays and over-the-counter medications. Miscellaneous household expenses including paper products, phone, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene come to about $289/month.
If you were Boris and Penka, would you be able to feed your family for a week?
Brian Carlson met his wife Jenny while they were in college and married right after graduation. After a few years, they started a family and now have three daughters. Before their third daughter was born they decided they needed more space for their growing family and they found a beautiful three-bedroom house. Brian had a short commute to work as a computer network technician and Jenny stayed home with the kids until the youngest started school. Four months ago, Brian’s company announced a wave of lay-offs and lost his job. His unemployment compensation was drastically less than his regular income. Even with Jenny working 25 hours/week, it is difficult to make ends meet. Jobs that are available for Brian and nowhere near his previous salary. Over the past four months, their savings account has nearly been drained.
Brian and Jenny receive $1492/month in unemployment compensation. Jenny works 25 hours/week for $15/hour. The family’s net monthly income after taxes is $2992. The mortgage is $1044/month; utilities are $150/month; car payment and insurance are $739/month; health insurance premium is $612/month and miscellaneous household expenses are $327/month.
If you were Brian and Jenny, would you be able to feed your family for a week?
This Sunday after church, we will take on the role of someone who is trying to provide food for their family while living in or at risk of hunger and poverty. We will experience some of the challenges (and blessings).
We have invited Ms. Jessica Gordon, executive director of Bread and Roses to speak about hunger and poverty in our area. We will also gather around tables and eat together – the same meal that we at Faith serve at Bread and Roses once/month.
Join us and learn about hunger, the needs, the challenges, and the ways we help.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen