Many of us have a lot to be thankful for today, but even as the u. S. Economy starts to sputter back to life, millions of americans remain unemployed and theyre suffering. Many find themselves falling out of the middle class and falling into poverty. There are more People Living in the suburbs than in cities and we have been following three families as they confronted poverty. They face losing their homes and their future, yet never losing themselves. Diane is the kind of do it all mom you often meet in the affluent suburbs of boulder, colorado. Were going to get some groceries. Pasta, rice. Cereal. A gallon of milk possibly and eggs. Shes an ambitious Human Resource executive with a masters degree, a husband, three kids. And a comfortable home. So what is diane doing here . Youre entitled to the government commodity today. Can you use Rice Krispies . Yeah. And a food pantry. I never thought wed be in this predicament so many unknowns. They didnt see it coming. Three years ago when the
There will be plenty of food, fun and games Manure Pitch-Off, anyone? along with addresses on sustainability and other matters, lectures and workshops.
survive. you don t like coming back here. i hate coming back here. i hate it. and their fight to get back up. the fact that i m actually out there working again, i just felt like i was waking up again. it s very exciting. america now: lost in suburbia. thanks for joining us. i m lester holt. feeling poorer these days? you re not alone. as you may have heard, according to a government study between 2007 and 2010 the median america family lost almost 40% of its net worth. many american families are falling out of the middle class and straight into poverty. in fact, for the first time there are more poor people living in the suburbs, the traditional home of the middle class, than in cities. we ve been following three families as they confronted poverty for the first time. we ve been with them on job searches and welfare offices, in their kitchens as they face losing their homes and their futures. yet never losing themselves. diane windemuller is the kind of do it a