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In southwest Virginia, a chasm between need and assistance

The economic problems of Pulaski, Va. — where one-third of residents live in poverty — haunt Denise Hancock’s office. Here, the spiraling number of clients seeking money for basic necessities meets the shrinking resources of her community service organization. And now, with the group’s funds nearly exhausted, Hancock worries about her job, too.

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April 14, 2011

Denise Hancock, a community service worker at the New River Community Action center in Pulaski, spends a moment relaxing after work on her bed with her dogs, from left, dachshunds Bouncer and Stormy, a yorkie named Goldie and a chihuahua named Layla. She bought the dogs to keep her company after the death of her son.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

New River Community Action center volunteer Tommy Hubble, 59, looks out the agency's window as people come to pick up food in Pulaski, a town of 9,000 in southwestern Virginia. Government-funded agencies such as New River could lose employees or face closure as funds from all levels -- federal and state government, private donors -- dry up.

April 7, 2011

New River Community Action center volunteer Tommy Hubble, 59, looks out the agency's window as people come to pick up food in Pulaski, a town of 9,000 in southwestern Virginia. Government-funded agencies such as New River could lose employees or face closure as funds from all levels -- federal and state government, private donors -- dry up.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock speaks with a client. Her job, officially, is to distribute vouchers and ask a few record-keeping questions, but she also believes her job is to listen. “People who are suffering need to be heard,” she says.

April 13, 2011

Hancock speaks with a client. Her job, officially, is to distribute vouchers and ask a few record-keeping questions, but she also believes her job is to listen. “People who are suffering need to be heard,” she says.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

New River Community Action center Director Janet Johnson, left, and community service worker Claudia Gusler work in their offices in Pulaski. The office’s four employees are all local women, each with more than a decade of community action experience. Staff members of the agency have been warned of possible layoffs or cuts in hours, and the agency is planning for a worst-case scenario that includes closure within two years.

April 7, 2011

New River Community Action center Director Janet Johnson, left, and community service worker Claudia Gusler work in their offices in Pulaski. The office’s four employees are all local women, each with more than a decade of community action experience. Staff members of the agency have been warned of possible layoffs or cuts in hours, and the agency is planning for a worst-case scenario that includes closure within two years.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock works to help client Wanda Prim, with her grandson Izae Prim, 5, get money for gasoline. The center gave Prim a $20 gas voucher.

April 14, 2011

Hancock works to help client Wanda Prim, with her grandson Izae Prim, 5, get money for gasoline. The center gave Prim a $20 gas voucher.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Pulaski Daily Bread volunteer Sabrina Lester prepares a food table for the needy. Pulaski Daily Bread, a food distributor for the needy, works in concert with the New River Community Action center.

April 7, 2011

Pulaski Daily Bread volunteer Sabrina Lester prepares a food table for the needy. Pulaski Daily Bread, a food distributor for the needy, works in concert with the New River Community Action center.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock takes a cigarette break while waiting to see clients. The center's assistance often does not match the size of clients' need. But, Hancock tells them, 'we're hurting, too.'

Hancock takes a cigarette break while waiting to see clients. The center's assistance often does not match the size of clients' need. But, Hancock tells them, "we're hurting, too."

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock waits to see clients in Pulaski. Government funded agencies such as New River could lose employees or face closure due to lack of funds because of the weak economy.

April 13, 2011

Hancock waits to see clients in Pulaski. Government funded agencies such as New River could lose employees or face closure due to lack of funds because of the weak economy.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Denise Hancock helps out client Wanda Prim with her grandson Izae Prim, 5, as the two visited the New River center with hopes of getting help with money for gasoline in Pulaski. The center was able to help her out with a $20 gas voucher.

April 14, 2011

Denise Hancock helps out client Wanda Prim with her grandson Izae Prim, 5, as the two visited the New River center with hopes of getting help with money for gasoline in Pulaski. The center was able to help her out with a $20 gas voucher.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Chance Sadler, 19, smokes cigarettes in his hotel room in Pulaski. He got a two night voucher for a hotel stay supplied by the New River Community Action center.

April 7, 2011

Chance Sadler, 19, smokes cigarettes in his hotel room in Pulaski. He got a two night voucher for a hotel stay supplied by the New River Community Action center.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock arrives home after a day of work. The tags on her car are in memory of her 18-year-old son, Buck, who committed suicide a few years ago.

April 14, 2011

Hancock arrives home after a day of work. The tags on her car are in memory of her 18-year-old son, Buck, who committed suicide a few years ago.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Hancock looks at the damage of her bathroom ceiling in Pulaski, Va. Her roof began leaking from a heavy rainstorm that also brought on a tornado in the area last week.

April 14, 2011

Hancock looks at the damage of her bathroom ceiling in Pulaski, Va. Her roof began leaking from a heavy rainstorm that also brought on a tornado in the area last week.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Peak Creek meanders through downtown Pulaski, but few shoppers do: What remain are mostly vacated furniture factories with broken windows, churches and pawnshops.

Peak Creek meanders through downtown Pulaski, but few shoppers do: What remain are mostly vacated furniture factories with broken windows, churches and pawnshops.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

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