After 19 years in restaurant management and 9 years in retail management, I never imagined I’d be in this position. At 65 years old, I was fired from my job for donating food that was about to expire—food that still had a day left on its sale date—to the local food pantry. My company’s policy was to throw it away, but I couldn’t stand to see perfectly good food go to waste when there are hungry people in our community. They accused me of stealing, and as a result, I was denied unemployment benefits.

Since then, it’s been two months with no income. I’ve applied for countless jobs, but despite my experience, I keep hearing that I’m not qualified—even for cashier positions. I know age discrimination is a factor, and it’s been heartbreaking and discouraging. Now, I’m facing the very real possibility of losing my home.

I’m reaching out for help because I have nowhere else to turn. Your support will help me cover basic living expenses and keep a roof over my head while I continue my job search. Thank you for reading my story and for any help you can give. Every bit of support means the world to me right now.