Poverty Awareness Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Poverty Awareness Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Poverty Awareness Month is celebrated on January 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Poverty Awareness Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you should know about Poverty Awareness Month.

📅 What day is Poverty Awareness Month 2024?

In 2024, Poverty Awareness Month is on Sunday, January 1st. It is the 1st Sunday in January; in 2024, it is Monday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the cool details and facts about January 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Poverty Awareness Month takes place every January, serving as an important occasion to acknowledge and address the issue of poverty. It is observed across the United States throughout the entire month. It’s worth noting that the US has the second highest poverty rate compared to other similar countries. The purpose of Poverty Awareness Month is to educate ourselves about this critical social problem, raise awareness among others, and recognize the various ways in which each individual can make a difference.

📜 Poverty Awareness Month History

During a certain period, various governments and organizations acknowledged the need for assistance to help people, but these efforts were not coordinated, and there was no specific definition of poverty. However, after World War II, poverty emerged as a global issue, prompting worldwide actions to address it.

Today, poverty is a widespread problem affecting nearly every country. Although the United Nations and the World Bank have established common definitions, each country still employs its own method to measure poverty.

In the United States, the official poverty criteria were established in the 1960s and have remained largely unchanged since then. Mollie Orshansky, an economist working for the Social Security Administration, devised these criteria based on a low-cost food plan developed by the Department of Agriculture for low-income households. Orshansky’s poverty index included a detailed matrix for different family sizes and types.

Critics have proposed revisions to Orshansky’s metrics, as they argue that the old methods are no longer effective for today’s families and economies. However, no modifications have been implemented as of yet.

✅ Poverty Awareness Month Facts

🔖 A suggestion to reduce poverty
In 2012, an Oxfam report revealed that the combined wealth of the top 100 wealthiest individuals in the world could be used to eradicate extreme poverty not just once, but four times over.

🔖 Why poverty awareness is so important
A recent survey revealed that 80% of Americans were unaware that global poverty rates were actually decreasing by 2020. Surprisingly, most of them had expected the opposite outcome.

🔖 The cost of coffee
The typical cost of a Frappuccino at well-known coffee establishments is approximately $3, which exceeds the average income in developing countries.

👍 Why Is Poverty Awareness Month Important

Poverty Awareness Month requires that we all take a closer look at the imbalances in our society and work to improve the situation in any way we can.

People from various sectors and backgrounds come together for a common goal: raising awareness of poverty and its effects, which could lead to a long-term commitment to poverty alleviation.

We are gradually broadening our eyes and changing our attitudes toward people afflicted by poverty as we learn more about it and its causes. Another societal transformation is being implemented gradually.

🙂 How To Observe Poverty Awareness Month

⚡ Put your knowledge to good use
How can you raise awareness about poverty? By using your deeper knowledge about poverty, you can actively engage with others and participate in your community. By sharing your resources and perspectives, you can effectively reach a wide audience and educate them about poverty.

⚡ Brush up on your knowledge of poverty
Poverty is not solely determined by financial limitations; it encompasses a range of factors. Understanding why poverty is a global issue and how different countries perceive poverty within their populations is crucial.

⚡ See how you can help
Discover how various organizations, local authorities, and non-profit groups are working towards reducing poverty in your community. Contribute through financial donations or by volunteering your time and skills to support these initiatives.

📅 When is Poverty Awareness Month?

Explore all 🔗 January holidays, including 🔗 Cause and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Poverty Awareness Month. So be sure to check back soon.