It’s no secret that McKean County’s 17 percent poverty level is above the national average of 12 percent.
But what may come as a surprise is the number of people who can’t make ends meet, but make too much money to qualify for social services.
One of the groups in this year’s Leadership McKean class is addressing one need of people who are slipping through the cracks: mattresses.
Tonia Hartzell of the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County gives a couple of examples of people in need.
The group will be providing new twin and toddler mattresses to people in need, and hopes to eventually be able to provide beds and bedding as well.
They will have a public meeting to officially launch the program. In the meantime, you can check for updates on their Facebook page: Facebook.com/McKeanCountyMattresses.
You can hear their entire presentation plus questions from the audience and answers here:
Bob Esch, president of the McKean County Community Foundation, commended the group for trying to put a face on poverty and said everyone needs to do a better job of that.
Tomorrow we’ll hear about a plan to remind people Main Street is open for business during the Streetscape project.