Danville, VA - New help is on the way for struggling Virginians. On Thursday, Governor Kaine announced the creation of the Poverty Reduction Taskforce, which is a group assigned to alleviating the growing poverty in the state. Danville is looking forward to the help.

They're basic necessities: bread, eggs, medicine, but around here, they're treasures. Becky Wales, with God's Store House, said, "We are seeing people that we've never seen before. We are seeing lots of people who have lost their jobs and lots of people who use to donate to us are having to come through the door and ask for help."

It's the same story around town.  Randy Johnson, with God's Pit Crew, said, "Last year we gave away about three million pounds total. So here we are at 1.8, almost two million pounds in just the first four months."

The Commonwealth Institute says that 122,000 to 218,000 more Virginians will be living in poverty by year's end. More people, who will count on help from places like this for those simple things, that keep so many going.

James Price, relies on God's Storehouse. He said, "We wouldn't make it. There'd be a whole lot of people outside."

But organizations like this, are feeling the strain: Danville has the third highest poverty rate in the state. It's why anyone around here will tell you- they can't do it alone.  "I think that's what it's gonna take is neighbors helping neighbors," Johnson said. Because whether it's neighbors or the Governor, help puts food on the table.

Governor Kaine's taskforce won't present its findings until 2010, but officials hope that will give them enough time to produce sound, effective policy.

Meanwhile, local groups say, they're counting on help from the community to get through this challenging time.

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