Child Poverty in Commack Increased Slightly in 2009

Despite the economy, the US Census Bureau is reporting that there are now 213 children – out of a total population of 40,513, with 7,219 students in that population, in the – that are classified as in poverty by the government, an increase from 2008, according to their 2009 estimate. 

In 2008, there were 169 students – out of a total population of 7,233 – in poverty, with the total population of children aged 5 to 17 estimated at 7,233. 

The survey is based on data collected on a yearly basis from County and State officials, according to the Census website. The number of children is based on reported incomes for families with children aged 5 to 17 and also takes into account the number of children related to one another in the same age range in districts, a number which has increased in Commack over the past few years.

The 2008 data, with the lowest number of students recorded for the past five years, had 169 students declared in poverty. That number has changed as well. For example, in 2006, 212 students were declared in poverty and in 2008, 213 students were.

While these data charts show changes over the years, there is no set pattern. The number of children in poverty has decreased while the population has increased and the number of related children has no set pattern.

"I know that we have the federal lunch program, but in the 11 years I've been in Commack we've never had the breakfast program, as the letter sent to parents always comes back saying it is not needed," Jacki Fleischhacker, president of Commack Union Free School District Parent-Teacher Association said. 

"If there is a student or family in need, it is generally handled anonymously on a school-by-school basis. When I was a PTA representative at Sawmill, we had a family that needed help and we used the family emergency fund to assist them. Sometimes students are given sizes and ages of other students, in and out of the district, as part of an adopt a family program. The names are always kept confidential," Fleischhacker said. 

In the United States, the poverty estimate for all ages in 2009 is 42,868,163, with the under 18 estimate at 14,656,962. In Suffolk County the estimate for 2009 is 84,755, with the under 18 estimate at 27,318. In 2007, the US estimate was 38,052,247 for all ages and 13,097,100 for under 18. The Suffolk County estimates for that year were 131,506 and 39,069, respectively.

Commack Union Free School District Officials could not be reached for comment on these numbers.