Bella Vista, a city with golf courses, lakes and swimming pools, also has its share of poverty. The children at Cooper Elementary School, who all come from Bella Vista, include almost 200 who qualify for a free- or reduced-priced lunches, school counselor Amy Collins said.
The United Way of NWA is focusing on children living in poverty this year. Their "bold goal" is to "provide a pathway out of poverty" for all of those children, said Kathleen Trotter, of the United Way Board of Directors.
In the county, about one in four children live in poverty, Trotter said.
A study by the Arkansas Advocates for Children and families revealed that the younger the you are, the more likely you are to live in poverty. For children under five, 27 percent live in poverty. For those over 64, only 7 percent live in poverty.
A slide show on the United Way website, www.unitedwaynwa.org, provides more statistics. Children living in poverty often start out with fewer books in their home and by the time they begin kindergarten, they are 12 to 14 months behind their peers.
By third grade, 30 percent of low-income children are well below grade level in reading and eventually, they are seven times more likely to drop out of school. High school drop outs lose 90 percent of job opportunities, which makes them very likely to raise their own children in the same environment.
Collins knows several of her students are living with grandparents who have a limited income. Also, she said, some of the poverty in Bella Vista is the result of misuse of prescription drugs, Collins said.
"If they're not able to function and maintain a job that's part of it," she said. The school helps meet some needs for students' families. The staff has actually found appliances and furniture when they heard about specific needs. They also make sure that school activities are within the financial reach of every family.
The school is what draws some young families to the Bella Vista area, social worker Julie Bartmeyer said. She works for the Bentonville School District. They want to be in the district and end up renting in Bella Vista because it's a little less expensive than Bentonville.
But for low income families, transportation can be a problem. Some people can't even get out to look for a job because they don't have a vehicle.
Both food pantries in Bella Vista see families with children regularly. Kay Gaudian of the Shepard's Food Pantry located at the Bella Vista Lutheran Church said she often hears about new residents coming to Bella Vista to live with extended family.
"We talk to the people. They are very genuine. Your heart breaks for them," she said. It's not unusual for former clients to return when they finally get on their feet, and bring food for the next recipient.
At Oasis Food Pantry operated by Village Bible Evangelical Free Church, Pastor Mark Voll said he sees many single parents who can't find a job that pays much more than minimum wage so they move in with grandparents.
"It's a stretch for their retirement income to support them," he said.
Working towards its goal, the United Way organized input sessions where nonprofits and state agencies and individuals can brainstorm about ways to help.
Participants at last week's input session at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers talked about early childhood education program, mentors and better health care. There's a need for affordable housing, they agreed.
"People don't want to live in poverty," Trotter said. With the right services, many families will be able to break the cycle.
Voll agreed. Counseling could make the difference, he said. People can learn how to manage their resources and change the behaviors that are leading them into poverty.
General News on 03/04/2015