Day Three of Wearing the Same Dress Every Day This Week

In case some of y’all missed it… I’m wearing the same dress every day this week.

 

• 61% of low income families do not have a single book suitable for a child

 

It’s to highlight how limited resources impact the ability for economic growth above the poverty line, to understand how limited resources affect daily life, and to raise awareness about how poverty and literacy are connected.

 

• The 2016 Federal poverty line is an annual income of $24,300 for a family of four
• 18% of Georgians live below the poverty line

 

But I have to ask, while this may affect me and my daily life… is it a true picture of how these lives are led?

 

I still have adequate food in my belly. A roof over my head. My children are taken care of, they’re in a school they love and they have grandparents in abundance willing to help.

 

• 26.7% of Georgia children under 18 live in poverty

 

I’ve always said, education is a way for people to “get out”. To reach for the stars. It can’t happen without literacy. But when people are strugging just to keep the lights on and food on the table, and when it’s been happening for generations… can we really expect them to know that? Can we really expect them to even care?

 

You can say that’s someone else’ problem. I call bullshit. The children here who are living in poverty belong to all of us. It’s the child sitting next to yours in school. Or it’s the child who, with proper nutrition and literacy, that could save your life someday with the right path. It’s the child whose better tests scores will help attract new business to our community- to allow, perhaps- a new job for you.

 

Think bigger picture people. Look down really small and then back out. It was this realization, along with a heart that easily bleeds, that allowed me to see it.

 

I’m wearing the same dress each day this week. But it’s really only a minor inconvience for me. I can wash my dress each day. I have food. My kids are well. But it’s not the full reality.

 

When are we going to do something about it?

 

 

For now, you can do something. You can help myself and the Junior League of Macon collect items for Crisis Line & Safe House. You can help us collect books. Just… care. Caring helps. Caring leads to compassion. And compassion can lead to action. Action leads to maybe helping even just one person. That can be all the difference.

 

 

Love to all y’all,

 

Molly