Hi, everyone. My name is Kassie Reding. I am a local resident in Merced, CA seeking help from our community for a friend in need. This particular person is known for helping others but is too ashamed to ask for help. ​As many of you know, Melani McDowell is the first person to show up when someone else is in need. Whether it’s sharing helpful resources, helping a neighbor, making sure you eat, she has proven herself to be genuine. After her mom passed away, she has been having such a hard time navigating & even sleeping. She took over providing good care of her mom's pets & house so they can still be together. She is heartbroken about all of this. She doesn't want to lose them. They've lived here for 15 years!

​Today, Melani & her family are the ones who need a helping hand.

​The Current Crisis:

​Due to a series of unexpected hardships, they are facing an immediate crisis. They need to raise $3,000 by tomorrow, though it's important to note that she is actively trying to get an extension. The thought of being displaced is weighing heavily on her, & the stress of potentially losing their home has been overwhelming.

​On top of the housing crisis, her current lack of reliable transportation is making it harder to maintain a steady income. They are also currently without food assistance (SNAP), meaning providing basic meals for the family has become a daily struggle.

​How Your Donation Will Help:

​We are setting a goal of $3,500 to cover the following:

​$3,000 for immediate rent to stop the eviction process & keep the family safe in their home.

& Anything after that for ​car rental/transportation to ensure Melani can continue getting to work reliably &

​groceries/ essentials to put food on the table while she navigates the stress of getting things in order. Due to not having dependents, she can no longer receive SNAP or cash benefits.

​How You Can Support:

​Donate: No amount is too small. Even $5 or $10 makes a difference when we all come together.

​Share: If you can’t donate, please share this link on your social media.

​Pray/Send Positive Vibes: The family is incredibly scared right now & appreciates all the emotional support they can get.

**Update 1/5/26:

After pleading the landlord again, Melani was able to get him to accept a partial payment for this month with what we have raised so far! She still owes more rent & still needs assistance with transportation, groceries, & pet food. So please keep it up! Your support is helping tremendously! Thank you all so much for your donations, shares, prayers & kind words. It truly means a lot to her. I love seeing our community come together! ♥️**