After moving from California, my family and I faced unexpected financial challenges that have made it impossible for us to retrieve a third of our belongings from a moving company. When we arrived, I was out of work for two months, and the job I eventually found paid 30% less than my previous position. Although I now have a job that matches my old salary, we are still living paycheck to paycheck. My husband is on SSDI and receives his payment only once a month, which makes budgeting even more difficult.

We have been paying storage fees as best we can, but we have fallen behind and now owe several months’ worth. On top of that, the moving company requires us to pay both a pick-up and a drop-off fee before we can get our things back. These costs have added up to more than we can manage, despite help from my dad, who is newly retired and on a fixed income. We have tried everything we can to resolve this ourselves, but the stress has become overwhelming. My husband suffers from anxiety and CPTSD, and the uncertainty has led to him being hospitalized recently. I often break down in tears, feeling trapped and unable to find a way out without making our situation worse.

Some of the items in storage are irreplaceable, like my husband’s great-uncle’s flag from World War II, family heirlooms, and important documents. My 16-year-old son misses his things, but he’s too young to find work in our area, despite trying. We can only afford essentials on paydays, and the times in between are a struggle. Getting our belongings back would lift a huge weight off our shoulders and help our family feel whole again. Any support you can offer would mean the world to us and help us move forward. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.