Wherever you live, whatever you do, and whatever you think about your fellow human beings, the way that we will ensure our country lives up to its potential - that we find our way to being united - is by you thinking bigger about what is possible.

Every day, not far from your home, families are living with extreme hunger, while even closer, thousands of pounds of food are being thrown away…. Every day, no matter where you live, there are children near you who are going to school in clothes that do not fit, that make them feel embarrassed, and that lower their self esteem in ways that most other kids never have to experience. Every day, parents are choosing to forego medical check-ups so they can pay their rent. Or because they are not sure where they can go. Every day, access is difficult and obstacles seem insurmountable. You can change this.

Don't be fooled by our country's size or culture's complexity. Ending poverty is about the will each of us has to make it happen. We know how to create economic stability for individuals and families. We have all the resources we could possibly need. Heck, we throw out more food each day than is necessary to feed all of our neighbors who go hungry.

Amidst the tumult of our current time - and dating back years, decades, and generations - poverty and the struggle of millions of our neighbors has been calling for an all-hands-on-deck approach. But, like other crises, it requires all of us to engage, not look elsewhere for solutions.