This Article

notes America's new poor, which is about to cover anybody who isn't a megamillionaire or a billionaire. This article profiles one family in northern Nevada, an area I am about to leave for good in a couple of days, in part because of the economy.

Deteriorating health

But the Costiloes are not alone.

Many among America's middle class have joined the ranks of the unemployed who are now slipping towards poverty. Those who donated in the past are now the ones asking for help.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada, which works with charities and federal programmes to distribute food, says 124,000 people, including 50,000 children, have received free food in the region in the past year. A figure three times higher than before the downturn.

For the Costiloes, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. Ben is a type-one diabetic and his health is deteriorating, and his healthcare costs are spiralling. Meanwhile, Coral's daily search for new work is proving fruitless.

Yet, the couple remain remarkably sanguine about their situation.

It's not getting any better down here, either.