FARMINGTON – The faces of poverty need to be seen. Much of the poverty in this area is hidden.

Those were the Rev. Scott Planting’s thoughts as he prepared a short slide show to start the Western Maine Legislative Caucus, Neighbors in Poverty, to be held from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Advocates for working families and elderly people who live with the daily challenges of poverty will have an opportunity to meet and talk with residents during the meeting. The public is also invited.

Planting, who originally wanted to create a film, “Working Poor in Western Maine,” instead developed the slide show which takes viewers from the beautiful scenery of the western mountain area to mills that are closed and shrinking schools to individual faces of working families and children dealing with poverty, he said.

Letting people see what poverty looks like, since much of it is hidden in the area, will not only inform but hopefully start a conversation with local residents.

“People who are pictured in the slide show,” he said, “will be invited to attend and share their comments.”

“Poverty tables based on income are always so much higher than what people earn around here,” he said. “A minimum-wage salary is not enough. People have to cut corners to get by.”

This is where much of the hidden poverty lies, and Planting feels that by not just talking about the issue, but putting a face on it, will help inform people.

After the slide show, Janice Daku of Western Maine Community Action, will speak on the Keeping Seniors Home program, and UMF Professor Doug Dunlap will talk about the Franklin County Community College Network.

Lisa Pohlmann, associate director at Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), will speak on State Strategies to Help End Poverty in Maine. Referring to two recent MECEP reports, Pohlman will share how the cost of housing, child care and health care continue to grow faster than the cost of living. At the same time the poverty level, used to determine eligibility for government benefits, has increased only at the rate of the consumer price index leaving many people in Maine without the ability to meet their basic needs.

There will also be displays by Senior Plus, the Career Center, SAD 9 Adult Education and Women, Work and Community.

The public forum will begin at 7 a.m with coffee, followed by a breakfast in UMF’s North Dining Room in Olsen Student Center. Registration is not required and there is no cost. Everyone is welcome.