LETTER TO THE HOLLAND SENTINEL: Holland, MI — The community assessment report of the Greater Ottawa County United Way contains a wealth of information on the needs of our community. As we strive to be a voice for the poor and hungry, the Holland chapter of Bread for the World would like to highlight some statistics reported in the basic needs and financial stability section of the assessment. Though these statistics all predate the current financial crisis, they still reveal that many are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
Poverty rates in Ottawa County have been increasing despite a fairly stable employment rate, perhaps because of changes in the types of jobs available. The county has lost manufacturing jobs, but gained jobs in the service sector where wages tend to be lower. In the county’s southwest quadrant, where Holland is nearly 12 percent of the adults surveyed were employed but feel their current job is not adequate, and another 7 percent were unemployed and job hunting.
Poverty rates in Ottawa County have been increasing despite a fairly stable employment rate, perhaps because of changes in the types of jobs available. The county has lost manufacturing jobs, but gained jobs in the service sector where wages tend to be lower. In the county’s southwest quadrant, where Holland is nearly 12 percent of the adults surveyed were employed but feel their current job is not adequate, and another 7 percent were unemployed and job hunting.
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