 But poverty is a crisis that affects millions of Americans in one local organization put on a poverty simulation today, aiming to combat the stigma surrounding those living in poverty. The United Way of Crowing in Southern Cass counties hosted the event in Brainerd, which put community members through a simulation of living a life in poverty. The event was aimed at making people aware of how bad the crisis is in Crowing County, which has a high population of people living in poverty. So many people are a crisis away from poverty, and there are plenty of people that are actively working and trying to make their lives better, but it can be really hard to actually lift yourself up out of that situation. And so if we can cultivate and inspire empathy and compassion for our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers, our community members, that's a powerful place to be. More than 45 million Americans or 14.5 percent of the population live in poverty in the United States. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.