By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent

Albert Kelly — mayor of Bridgeton — sees it everyday.

“They’re looking for jobs, for decent paying jobs,” he said.

His non-profit Social Service Organization serves about 56,000 low-income residents in South Jersey. Residents desperately trying to pull out of, or stay out of poverty.

“You have families, two family households, some of them have two jobs each. So that they can maintain their rent, their utilities, being able to pay for food,” said Gateway Community Action Partnership Social Services Director Gwen McLean.

Cumberland County has the highest poverty rate in New Jersey — nearly 20 percent. It hovers just above Passaic and Hudson Counties at 18.5 and nearly 18 percent respectively. That’s according to New Census data. And while some analysts are quick to point out those numbers have improved. They’re still far above what they were 10 years ago — pre-recession. [Read more at NJTVNEWS]