Rising costs and a failing car have pushed me to the edge, and I am doing everything I can, but I cannot do this alone anymore.

Hi, my name is Raymond. I honestly never thought I would be in a place where I had to ask for help like this, but I am out of options and trying to hold on to what stability I still have.

The cost of living has gotten completely out of control. Rent, food, and basic bills keep rising while my income has stayed the same. I have sold what I could, cut every corner imaginable, and stretched every dollar as far as possible. Even after all of that, I am still struggling just to keep a roof over my head and food in the fridge.

SNAP has finally been restored for me, and I am grateful for that, but it is such a small amount that it only covers a few days of meals. I am already using every food shelf I can get to, but they are just as overwhelmed as everyone else right now. Supplies run out fast, lines grow longer every week, and there is never enough to fully get by. SNAP helps a little, but not enough, and with how unpredictable everything has been, I do not know how long it will last.

On top of that, my car has become a serious problem. It is more than 20 years old, has no exhaust, leaks oil and coolant, is rusted out along the body, and has a transmission issue that keeps getting worse. Every time I start it, I am hoping it manages the short drive to work without breaking down. Losing it completely would mean losing my ability to get to work at all. Having reliable transportation would give me a real chance to look for better job opportunities and move forward.

Right now, I am asking for help with the absolute basics. I need to cover rent, groceries, and essential bills so I do not lose the small amount of stability I still have. I am also trying to save anything I can to fix or replace the car before it leaves me stranded.

Every bit of help matters. A few dollars, a share, or even taking the time to read this means more than I can explain.

I am not looking for a handout. I am just trying to get through this extremely difficult stretch and rebuild some security so I can work toward a better future.

Thank you for caring enough to be here.

Raymond