At the end of 2025, my friend and fellow Food Bank volunteer Pinky Stegmer smelled electrical smoke--and discovered that her home, a converted Greyhound bus, was on fire. The fire department investigation found that a screw in the frame had loosened and as a result, current from a nearby electrical wire arced to it, starting the fire.

Pinky was able to grab her cat and some essentials and safely exit the bus. The fire department arrived and put the fire out, but the bus is not habitable until significant repairs are done. She is currently staying with a friend and paying to board her cat.

The current estimate to repair Pinky's home is $5000. She has less than $500 in her savings account. Her Social Security payments cover her normal monthly expenses, but this cost is way beyond her ability to address by herself.

Pinky is a wonderful, open, positive person who does her best to help everyone she encounters. I've volunteered with her for the last couple of years at the Food Bank and see every week how hard she works to brighten everyone's day, from her colorful, coordinating outfits and hair to her friendly smile and funny stories. When she is not giving her time to folks experiencing food insecurity, she serves as a hospice caregiver.

Pinky is currently working to remove all her smoke-damaged clothes and furniture from the bus and determine what can be cleaned and reused. With your help, repairs can begin within 2 weeks.

I'm hoping to raise funds to help Pinky get her home repaired so she can move back in and get back to her life of service to our community. I encourage you to join me.