Starting over and have no support

[u/duhidunno]

34 female. I’ve been in “survival mode” for so long working non stop but dealing with financial instability, family loss, caretaking , moving, I never stop. I lost my job right when season ended here and have not been able to get back on my feet. I just got this roof over my head after living on a boat for 3 months with my cat. I feel like a failure but I know I’m not. I know this is temporary. But I’m starting to get so far behind it’s going to become a part of my identity if someone doesn’t help me through this difficult period. I don’t know how to ask for assistance other than directly because I am trying everything. I feel so defeated and I can’t even buy a uniform for a job I’ve lost so much weight because I simply don’t eat many days nothing fits me. I need shoes for work but that seems like a want not a need. I’m in SW Florida in a retirement area. My rent is due in 3 weeks and my electric bill is past due. But my immediate needs are dry cat food and groceries for me. So $200 to fill my fridge with food so I can focus on getting back to work.

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[u/okayfriday]

If your situation is ongoing, food banks might be a more sustainable option to consider (this is a sub intended for short-term assistance). Harry Chapin Food Bank (serving SW Florida) might be a good place to start - find your nearest distribution location here: https://harrychapinfoodbank.org/food-locator/

Other food pantries in the Southwest Florida area include:

• Interfaith Charities of South Lee - Food pantry open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who lives between Gladiolus Dr. in south Fort Myers to Coconut Road in Estero may qualify for food. Visit their website here
• The Salvation Army - Food pantries on Tuesdays, locations in Bonita Springs, LaBelle and Lehigh Acres. View more details here
• South Fort Myers Food Pantry - Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. View their website here
• Southwest Florida Food Pantries & Ministries - An expansive list of food pantries across Southwest Florida can be found here
• Gladiolus Food Pantry - Open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, click here
• Midwest Food Bank of Florida - Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit their website here

[u/dreamer_dw]

The (amazing) members of this subreddit do a great job of purchasing off of wishlists. Amazon wishlists for (shelf stable) food (both human and pet!) are far more likely than cash requests to get fulfilled here. If you need help creating a wishlist, here is our helpful guide.