Suburban Poverty Growing In Frisco

from CBS 11 Dallas

The private, gated community of 'Starwood' is the symbol of affluence in Frisco.

City resident Elizabeth Brzeski was the victim of a house fire. A business failure and a divorce has forced her fast and painful tumble into poverty. She now lives in a government subsidized apartment. Her 5,000 square foot house has been replaced by a three bedroom apartment. "There's a lot of loneliness, even though I have four kids," she said. "I do get lonely."

Every week, Brzeski and her four children select 60 pounds of food from the pantry at Frisco Family Services.

Her two boys and two girls are learning some of life's toughest lessons. "I tell them not to waste food," Brzeski said. "We're very stringent about just about everything, how much shampoo we use, just because, and it's hard for them."

According to the Brookings Institution, the number of people living in poverty nationwide is higher in the suburbs than in big cities. Suburban poverty is also growing here in North Texas.

The average household income in Frisco is about $80,000 a year, 200 percent higher than the state average. For a growing number of families, however, that number does not reflect their reality.

Jill Cumnock of Frisco Family Services said, "I think everybody has this myth that everyone in Frisco is affluent, and that's just not the case." Four years ago, Frisco Family Services helped 475 families. Now, nearly three times as many are being served, many of which are the "new poor," residents who had a high-tech or professional career with a high salary, and now have very little.

Brzeski said that asking for help, at times, is awkward and humiliating. "But now," she said, "when I look back, I can say God will always provide. And I have to keep reminding myself of that, because every day is challenging."