Have you ever lived without enough money to support yourself? Last year, 13.2% of people in the United States did not have enough money to support themselves or their families. In the United States, 1 in 7 people were at risk of suffering from hunger, just as 3.5 million people were forced to sleep in parks, under bridges, in shelters or in cars. In this article, you will learn about the history of poverty in America and its definition, the causes/reasons of poverty, the effects of poverty on America, and the salaries of people in poverty. Poverty is the state or condition of having little or no money or goods. In America, poverty began to be a major problem in the late 1950s, when it reached 22.4% of the American population. Throughout the 1960s, poverty steadily decreased and reached 11.1 percent in 1973. Over the next 10 years, poverty alternated between 11.1 and 12.6 percent, but by 1980 the percentage of people in poverty began to rise again. In 1983 poverty had reached 15.2%. Over the next decade, the poverty rate remained above 12.8 percent, increasing to 15.1 percent in 1993. By 2000, the poverty rate had fallen to 11.3 percent. In 2004, the poverty level had reached 12.7% of Americans. The poverty rate increased to 15.1% between 2004 and 2012. There are many reasons why so many people are affected by poverty. There are many reasons why so many people live in poverty. The root cause of poverty in America originates from social or racial groupings and stereotypes, isolation from social interactions and opportunities, lack of knowledge, lack of work skills, education and resources. Other reasons for poverty include a lack of affordable housing… middle of paper… for themselves and their families. There are things and organizations that are trying to help prevent poverty, such as raising the minimum wage to over $11 an hour, which would make housing more affordable for people living in poverty or anyone who can't afford a place. live. Another thing that is being done is that an organization known as Bread for the World is working to end hunger not only in America, but around the world by raising money to purchase food and send it to people living in poverty. One last great effort that can be made to help people living in poverty is for anyone to donate old clothes or donate food to help those struggling with poverty. People across America experience poverty, and poverty will not disappear. Yes, many things are done for the less fortunate, but it is enough?