10/13/2021 Another Year, Another Update It's been just over a year since I updated my situation, so I wanted to let you know what is going on. I'm still not able to find work, and my unemployment and food stamps (EBT) are just a memory at this point. So I'm even more grateful to those of you who have donated, several of you multiple times, to keep a roof over my head and food in my belly! It's greatly appreciated. One bright spot is that a few months ago I was approved for medical benefits through the Veterans Administration, so I'm getting treatment for my high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and anxiety, so that's a big help! Unfortunately, even with the depression medications, I'm still unable to write, which was another source of income, adding to my stress GRRR! I've also filed a Disability Claim with the VA, and now I'm just waiting for a decision. In the meantime, I'm hoping to get around $350 to $400 per week to cover my weekly rent of $275, plus groceries and other expenses. If you aren't able to donate, I would really appreciate it if you would share this with your social media contacts. Thanks for all your help Howard/Red 10/8/2020 Hey there, it's been a while, hasn't it? I want to start off by saying thank you to all of you who have been so generous over the last several months to help keep a roof over my head and other expenses paid. I'm still receiving unemployment benefits, which were a big help when the federal and state money were included, but now I'm only receiving $108.00 per week, which doesn't cover my weekly rent, let alone any other expenses. Anyway, I'm still searching for work and getting a little bit of interest, but unfortunately, because I'm staying in long term residence hotel I'm not able to work remotely. The jobs that I qualify for have a requirement that the training be done at home, due to social distancing, and until the COVID-19 crisis is over, they will not be doing on-site training. Also, because I had to turn my vehicle in to Lyft, I'm no longer able to earn money that way. I do intend, once I get an actual job, to save up and get a vehicle of my own, but that is a long way down the road. In the meantime, I have to be a passenger, which is a strange experience for me. To get to the point, I'm reaching out to ask for your help in covering my rent. My weekly rent is $275.00, and I'm hoping to get close to $400 a week to cover my other expenses. Fortunately I was able to reactivate my food stamps, so I do have groceries covered, but still need to purchase non-food items. If there is anything you can do to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Howard/Red Hi, my name is Howard Kammerer, I’m a driver with Lyft in Nashville, Tennessee and have been for several years now. This has been my only source of income for two years now and I’ve been doing okay until now.  I’m sure you are aware of everything that is going on with the pandemic and how people are staying home and isolating themselves. This has had a tremendous impact on all of us in the service industry because our entire job is facing the public. With no customers or passengers, we have no income! Of course, that doesn’t mean that rent doesn’t need to be paid or other bills.   To give an example, for the past three days I've been driving eight hours a day and have a total of seven rides, less than $30.00 earned.   And the program I'm on, called Express Drive, means that I'm driving a rental vehicle (my car died over a year ago and needs a new engine which I can't afford to put in), but being a rental vehicle means that I have to pay for the car before I can earn any income.    I'm currently staying in an Extended Stay Hotel for a variety of reasons, but I have to pay my rent nightly, which is $50 per night, not to mention my other expenses.   If I can pay for five nights, the rate goes down, but it's been tough, even before this started, to get the $200 at one time to pay for five nights.    I know I’m not the only person who is in a tough spot but I’m hoping that those of you who are able to help can do so.   I’m hoping to get around $1,500 or so to get through the worst of this. That will cover rent for several weeks and also help me pay my other bills. If you aren’t in a position to donate, if you could share with your social media followers I would greatly appreciate it Thanks Howard

Unable to find work, Disability Appeal in Process

Still $4,040 to go. Help us build momentum.