Growing up in Atlanta, I saw first hand what it meant to live in poverty. I saw it while at school and I saw it while playing outside. Believe it or not, I also witnessed poverty first hand in my own family. 

Thankfully, I have never lived on the streets or never went days without food. However, I have experienced days without water, electricity, gas, etc… I lived most of my youth in government housing. I have experienced losing a home, having to live with relatives, domestic violence, accepting food and clothing donations, and going without things that most middle-class Americans unknowingly take for granted.