United Way of Pennsylvania report shows 1.4 million households struggling to pay for essentials

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Young couple discussing family budget at home

Airdate: May 11th, 2023

 

Twelve percent of Pennsylvanians live below the poverty line, but according to a new report from the United Way of Pennsylvania, another 27 percent or 1.4 million households have incomes above the poverty line, but still face challenges paying for the essentials like food and rent. They fall into the ALICE category – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

To talk more about the 2023 ALICE report on The Spark today is Philip Falvo, Public Policy Director of the United Way of Pennsylvania.