My name is Randy. I am a single father of 2 boys, ages 16 and 9. Last year, my 9-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He needs blood sugar monitoring and insulin injections several times daily to regulate it. I began working as a gig driver for DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, etc., because I can make my own hours to an extent and be available to care for my son, which includes trips to Texas Children's Hospital.

I drive a 2010 Kia Soul because it's been a reliable car with just over 200,000 miles, and it's paid for, keeping monthly expenses down considerably. With the high mileage and over 1,000 deliveries, maintenance is crucial. In the last 2 months, I've had to buy 2 tires, get a routine oil change, and replace the fuel purge valve, which I had never heard of but replaced myself because any extra costs outside the routine monthly are simply not doable.

A few days ago, my car's battery light came on, and about an hour later, all of the warning lights came on as I was just getting home. I figured it was either my battery or my alternator or both. Upon my initial inspection, I saw the battery was 5 years old, which is longer than expected, but I didn't drive much the last 5 years until this past year. Hoping for the best and with only $90 in my bank, I purchased a slightly smaller battery for $78. After replacing it, the car started right up with no dash lights except for the battery warning light. I knew it was probably the alternator, so for the last 2 days, I've been trying to work while hoping the car doesn't die on a delivery because I can't afford to have it towed.

Today, I stopped by AutoZone so they could test my alternator, and the gentleman said he couldn't get a reading on the alternator because my brand new battery was at zero percent. The car sputtered to start at AutoZone but did make it home just a few miles away. However, I do not have the finances to replace the alternator and possibly another battery, so being out of a vehicle means I'm out of work, and the $90 I had in the bank for the battery I bought was the savings I had for my $280 electric bill, which will be disconnected if not paid by June 19th.

I don't know what to do. I don't have any family except for my boys and me, and my friends and neighbors are all equally without anything extra in the monthly budget, as many of us are these days. I already deliver in Texas with no air conditioning in my vehicle because it's not essential, but I need first and foremost to get my car serviced by a mechanic who knows what he's doing because I do not. This way, I can get back to making money, and now I need help with the electric bill since these days I haven't been able to work haven't left me with enough time if my vehicle is able to be repaired to make the money needed to cover the electric.

The funds collected will be used to pay my electric bill and car repairs so that I may get back to working for my family.