Last year, 39.8 million Americans were living in poverty - up more than 2 million from 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

It's no surprise that the recession is to blame.

As the impact of the nation's economic woes increased, more and more of those on the edge of poverty fell, and children were not spared.

Hundreds just in Fort Wayne have been left without food, shelter and health care.

A local group of panelists, set to speak Friday at IPFW, aims to bring understanding and hopes to spur action to overcome poverty and its socioeconomic impact on the nation.

“The goal is to look at poverty from a variety of perspectives,” said Julie Creek, coordinator of the IPFW Center for Women and Returning Adults, organizer of the panel discussion.

The session, titled “So Are the Poor Always Going to Be with Us? Empowering Ourselves to Overcome Poverty,” will feature Jane Avery, executive director of Community Harvest Food Bank, and Patrick Ashton, IPFW associate professor of sociology. Creek said she hopes other panelists also will participate.

“Politically, no anti-poverty programs have ever been introduced into the U.S. without … struggles and pressure,” said Ashton, who plans to speak about the general history of social welfare.

He said two-thirds of the middle class is falling closer to poverty, so the makeup of the stereotypical “poor person” is inevitably changing.

“There are many people who are your friends and neighbors (who are standing in line at the food bank),” Ashton said.

Avery knows this all too well, especially as the holiday season is approaching.

Donations of food are constantly being sought, and the problem remains acute as the economic situation fails to improve.

According to the food bank's Web site, 10 million pounds are distributed each year to those in need.

The event Friday is a short panel discussion, but Creek hopes it will get IPFW students and the public thinking more about poverty and asking questions about how it can be eliminated.

“People have to organize and (get things done),” Ashton said.