In swing state Pennsylvania, middle class struggles to get by

In swing state Pennsylvania, middle class struggles to get by

The blue-collar and middle-class residents of Bethlehem and nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania have seen their purchasing power erode with the effects of inflation, a key issue in the 2024 US presidential election
The blue-collar and middle-class residents of Bethlehem and nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania have seen their purchasing power erode with the effects of inflation, a key issue in the 2024 US presidential election. Photo: RYAN COLLERD / AFP
Source: AFP

The giant steelworks that greets visitors to Allentown, Pennsylvania once symbolized the city's success as an industrial hub. Today, its middle-class residents struggle to overcome the long-term impacts of post-pandemic inflation.

Purchasing power is one of the main themes of the US presidential election, and a thorn in the side of Democrats -- especially in this Rust Belt battleground state, which could be one of a handful to decide who wins the White House in November.

"Inflation has come down tremendously," said Bill Leiner, a 70-year-old nurse and volunteer for the Democratic Party, which seems to be coalescing behind Vice President Kamala Harris after Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.

"However, there are many people... who don't believe that, because there's a right-wing echo chamber pumping out disinformation," Leiner told AFP, explaining he even has to help his own family members separate truth from fiction.

Read also

Sweden seeks to be winemaking's next frontier

When a loved one complained about the high price of eggs, Leiner explained it was the result of a bird flu epidemic, not government policy, and advised the person to buy the store's brand, instead of a name brand product, to save money.

"I've amended my habits. I keep an eye on prices. I look at what I do, at my budget," he said.

Matthew Kayes, who was exiting a Whole Foods supermarket with his family, said he too had changed up his shopping habits, buying different products from different suppliers.

Kayes even goes straight to local farms in the region dotted with green hills, where "the prices are generally cheaper and, we find, the produce is better."

Accountant Tamy Ferry said she watches her budget, but still buys what she likes, even if prices are higher.

Read also

With no money or fuel, Cuban fishermen improvise on floating rafts

"Occasionally, I stay away from certain things, or I wait until they go on sale, but I do shop at various stores," Ferry said.

More visitors at food pantries

New Bethany Executive Director Marc Rittle inspects fresh produce donated by a local farm to their pantry, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Allentown
New Bethany Executive Director Marc Rittle inspects fresh produce donated by a local farm to their pantry, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Allentown. Photo: RYAN COLLERD / AFP
Source: AFP

On Friday, all eyes will be on new inflation figures from the US government. May data showed that goods prices had cooled slightly -- good news for both consumers and Democrats keen to overcome voter hesitation about their economic record.

In Allentown, residents are considered middle class if their households earn between $37,300 and $112,000 a year. Even then, some have had to turn to food pantries.

"For the last two years, we saw almost a doubling of the people showing up in our food pantry every single day," said J. Marc Rittle, the executive director of New Bethany, a nonprofit that helps those facing economic and social hardship.

According to Rittle, more and more of the newcomers visiting New Bethany are middle class.

Read also

Internet blackout paints dark picture for Bangladesh call centres

"Housing costs have skyrocketed, so people have to choose between paying their rent or buying food," he said, explaining those coming to the pantry are looking for a "complement" to the food they can afford on their own.

"We don't refuse anyone," Rittle said -- even those whose salaries exceed the level suggested by the federal Feeding America program.

He said he noticed that more Allentown residents started having trouble when the financial aid programs launched during the coronavirus pandemic expired.

At that same moment, the war in Ukraine sent oil prices soaring, which translated into an overall jump in the cost of daily necessities.

James Spang, Jr, head of security at the Allentown Fairgrounds and former sergeant at arms for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said that with Joe Biden exiting the 2024 presidential race, he now supports Vice President Kamala Harris
James Spang, Jr, head of security at the Allentown Fairgrounds and former sergeant at arms for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said that with Joe Biden exiting the 2024 presidential race, he now supports Vice President Kamala Harris. Photo: RYAN COLLERD / AFP
Source: AFP

The annual inflation rate has certainly fallen, from a high of 9.5 percent in June 2022 to an average of 2.6 percent in recent months.

"A slowdown in inflation is still an increasing rate of the cost of living, so that doesn't help at all. It's just not going up as much as before," Rittle said.

Read also

Theme park's novel bid to fix South Korea youth unemployment

"We would have to return to a lower cost of living."

'Modest and incremental'

Al Jacobsen, executive director of Allentown's 1,000-seat Miller Symphony Hall, also counts on the assistance of others to keep his budget out of the red.

He struggles to balance higher operating costs and salaries with the impossibility of raising ticket prices without seeing a hit on attendance, among patrons who face tough choices about how to spend the little disposable income they have.

Al Jacobsen, who runs the 1,000-seat Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania, says patrons in 2024 have faced tough choices about how to spend the little disposable income they have
Al Jacobsen, who runs the 1,000-seat Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania, says patrons in 2024 have faced tough choices about how to spend the little disposable income they have. Photo: RYAN COLLERD / AFP
Source: AFP

He also says he has created new ticket categories and launched subscription incentives, but has been unable to book some artists whose fees have soared.

"We are not an essential service like food or shelter, so we're limited in how much we can increase without affecting the demand," Jacobsen said.

"Our increases have been modest and incremental."

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.