Teacher in need of assistance

My name is Michelle and I am a 3rd grade language arts teacher who works at a title one school. 90% or more of the students at my school are low income and qualify for free or reduced lunch. Whenever my students are in need I am always able to find resources within the community to get them some help. I went to Donor’s choose when my students needed technology resources for the classroom. I was granted help. I went to the Houston food bank when my students needed more school supplies. I was granted help. I’ve even reached into my own pocket when my students needed new uniforms or a lunch to take on a field trip. What’s sad is that when I am in financial need for myself, the resources are harder to come by.

I basically live paycheck to paycheck and I don’t really have any extra disposable income. I pay the minimum payments on all of my bills, and fortunately I’ve been able to scrape by. That is until about 6 weeks ago.

In late August there was a beehive discovered in the floor beneath my apartment. There were no downstairs tenants, I lived over a garage. The larvae from the bees were seeping through the cracks at the baseboard in the kitchen and the apartment complex was unable to get rid of them. We (my daughter, my young niece and myself) were told that we would have to move to a different unit, and we had to do it with just a few days notice. The apartment complex helped with some of the moving expenses, but we were still left with close to 400.00 worth of expenses we were responsible for. I sacrificed my car note to pay the moving expenses, and when the car note was due I sacrificed a few other bills to make sure it was paid and that we had transportation. Since that time I’ve been juggling late bills and late charges. I’m trying to pay the essentials such as rent, food, gas, electricity, insurance but the late charges and fees added to the bills are putting me further and further behind. My checking account is currently overdrawn $294.63 and I won’t get paid again until the 1st of the month. I’ve tried to find resources online that would help me in my time of need, but unfortunately my income is above the poverty guidelines and I don’t qualify for help. I’ve also tried taking on a second job as a checker, bagger, or customer service rep at Walmart, Target and the local grocery chain, but apparently I am over qualified ( I have a Master’s Degree) and was declined an employment offer. Quality loans are out of the question because my credit score has plummeted. I’ve sold personal items online and on Offerup to keep food on the table. I’ve had payday loan offers, but the interest rates are outrageous. (one was 198%). I’m doing all that I can to keep from drowning.

I really find it ironic that I am able to help others when they are in need, but I am unable to get help for myself.

I am asking for help from anyone that would be willing to do so. I believe that if I could raise $2,000.00, this would help me pay off the late fees and overage charges and bring my accounts back up to date. Once I am back on track, I should be able to keep up with my expenses with my current income.

Please help if you can.

Paypal.me/mzstewteach

Michelle