Karen George has always been someone who puts others first. For 14 years, she and her husband Steve ran a food pantry, making sure no one in their community went hungry—even during the toughest times like the pandemic. Their compassion extended to everyone, offering food and kindness to all, regardless of circumstance. Steve, a veteran, was Karen’s partner in life and in service. They were married for 16 years, building a life centered on helping others and supporting each other through every challenge.

Recently, Karen’s world was turned upside down when Steve passed away suddenly. The loss has left her not only grieving but also facing overwhelming practical challenges. Karen is a survivor of sex trafficking, which left her with significant disabilities. She relies on a feeding tube, takes multiple medications for seizures, and needs a full-time caregiver as well as regular visits to several doctors. Without Steve’s support, she is struggling to cover basic living expenses and medical care. Since his passing, Karen has had to leave her home and is now in temporary housing. Without urgent help, she faces the very real threat of homelessness—living in her car, which would be life-threatening given her medical needs.

As someone who has been extremely close to Karen and Steve for many years, it crushes me to see her lose the financial stability she thought she had. We are scrambling to help her, and it’s heartbreaking to watch someone so incredible face this kind of hardship. Karen is not only an amazing chef, but she’s also loved by so many people—and dogs—whose lives she’s touched. She has always given selflessly to her community. Now, she needs that same compassion in return. Donations will help cover her immediate housing costs, medical expenses, daily living needs, and provide a safety net as she works to rebuild her life. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference in helping Karen find stability and hope during this incredibly difficult time.