Approximately 40 people participated in a Regional Poverty Simulation and Resource Fair last Thursday at Newington Baptist Church, Gloucester.

The simulation, which was put together by a partnership of Virginia Cooperative Extension and individuals from organizations that belong to the Gloucester Resource Council, allowed participants to see the struggles ranging from having limited transportation to keeping the lights on.

According to VCE agent Glenn Sturm, one in nine Gloucester residents are currently living in poverty.

Others who attended the two-hour-long simulation included members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, nonprofit directors, bank branch managers, board members of the Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team (GUEST), school employees, religious leaders, law enforcement and many others.

“The simulation was an eye-opening experience for many of the participants, seeing the struggles of having limited transportation, choosing between getting food tha...