Just as the heat of summer is ramping up, the last thing you want to find is your refrigerator inoperable.
Shauna called Bridges of Hope on a hot day in June, frantic and frustrated. She had just spent half the year nesting away every penny she could pinch when disaster decided to strike again, and her fridge stopped working. She had been frugal with her budget and had a small savings for emergencies, but that had been purposed towards a new well for her home which was close to expiration, and a rebuilt transmission for the car she bought that turned out to be a lemon. Grudgingly, Shauna made the hard decision to prolong the chance of her well or car all out dying one day to use some of the fund to go towards replacing her fridge.
Shauna had started saving her recently purchased food in a cooler with ice as soon as she was aware of the problem, and immediately started looking at new fridges. This was something she had never had to buy before and was very disappointed to find out that nothing was even remotely affordable for her. Already working overtime to gear up for the other large expenses, she had little time to search for a replacement.
After completing an intake, Bridges’ Resource Specialist, Jake, asked if Shauna was familiar with the ReStore. He explained that it’s a home improvement store that sells new and used furniture, appliances and building supplies at low costs with all proceeds supporting Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity’s work building homes for local families. Shauna was excited about the new prospect, but the store’s open hours were within her own working hours, so she would not be able to go look. Jake was able to work with ReStore staff to identify a couple suitable options and save Shauna missing work to do so.
The next step was payment and pick up. Jake referred Shauna to speak about her situation with a local ministry called St. Vincent de Paul, who offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. During their next phone contact, Shauna was humbled to report that the society of St. Vincent de Paul had agreed to pay for the fridge, and that her son-in-law would be delivering it for her.
We often hear the phrase “when it rains, it pours,” but even in the storms of life there is still hope. Because of the support and partnerships of people like you, there is a place to call when crisis arises. Thank you for helping us build Bridges in the Lakes Area.
If you’re looking for support and resources, please call Bridges of Hope at 218-825-7682.