The United States Census Bureau released their latest report citing the cities in the United States with the highest poverty rates. The City of Syracuse made the top 10, with an estimated 32.4 percent poverty rate in 2017. Syracuse tied the cities of Dearborn, Michigan and Bloomington, Indiana.
According to the Federal Government, a family of four with an annual income of $24,944 is considered to be living below the poverty line. In 2017, the median annual salary in Syracuse was $35,568, which is almost twice as low as the nation’s average of $60,336.
To give back to the people, staff at local businesses are either donating their products or using ‘pay-it-forward’ programs. At the Syracuse Stage, 76 tickets are allocated for select shows where people can line up at the box office and pay only what they are able to for tickets. That may be $1 or that may be $10. This is designed for people who want to watch theater, but may not be able to afford the price of a normal ticket. The Director of Marketing and Communications, Joseph Whelan, said typically a line forms for these tickets once the Stage opens and the tickets sell out. The Syracuse Stage also actively gives out bundles of tickets to the communities around Syracuse.
At the local donut shop, Glazed and Confused, weekly donations are given out on Wednesdays to charities based on the leftovers that the store has. Random donations are also dispersed to people crossing the street or riding their bikes past the store. “When they first opened the boss told his kids that in order to make this happen they would donate something every week or donate a percentage of the weekly sales, or a percentage of the monthly sales and they have been doing it ever since and we have been donating donuts ever since,” said Caitlin Kinney, a pastry chef at the establishment.
Lastly, Franco’s Pizzeria and Deli has established a ‘pay-it-forward pizza’ program. To participate, customers may pay one-dollar, which goes towards a slice of cheese pizza. They then fill out a post-it note and write a positive message. Members of the community that cannot afford a slice of pizza can come in and ask to redeem a slice and they also receive the post-it note with it. “There is something special and different about helping someone, but not knowing who you are going to help,” said Antonietta Vigliotti, Manager of the restaurant. She also said that the slices go to use and there has been increased use this month, for reasons she is unsure of.
Establishments like these are looking to give back to the community and help those who need it. They want Syracuse to be accessible to all people. In light of the high poverty rates, businesses are doing their part to improve the community.
