Remember that beautifully inspiring tune, “We are the World”? On March 7, 1985, increased awareness of international tragedy came to the fore with a song compiled by top singers of different genres and backgrounds. Regardless of disagreements on proper long-term and short-term use of the funds from this wildly successful song, “We Are the World” reminded people of global poverty and our collective responsibility to alleviate it. In the same vein, in 1986 Crossroads published a report: “We are the World Too” that explored the reality of poverty in Salt Lake City. The report is composed of a series of interviews, sets of background data, data analysis and recommendations for actions to end hunger in Salt Lake City. Check out the acknowledgement page for the amazing Crossroads staff/volunteers who were integral to making this report possible.
FACT: At the time of this report’s publication (April 1986) Utah’s minimum wage was under $4. Sound shocking? In 2016 dollars, that would be $8.71. Utah’s current minimum wage is $7.25. Despite 20 years passing, poverty is still as biting of a reality for Utahns today as in 1986.
Read the whole report here for other information on Utah poverty then and now.
FACT: At the time of this report’s publication (April 1986) Utah’s minimum wage was under $4. Sound shocking? In 2016 dollars, that would be $8.71. Utah’s current minimum wage is $7.25. Despite 20 years passing, poverty is still as biting of a reality for Utahns today as in 1986.
Read the whole report here for other information on Utah poverty then and now.
| we_are_the_world.pdf |
