Your Compassion Has Restored Eric's Dignity & Hope.

Your Compassion Has Restored Eric’s Dignity & Hope.
When Eric first came to MEND, it was because he couldn’t afford groceries. After three decades as a janitor with LAUSD, Eric had earned his retirement.

But a few years in, his fixed income could no longer keep pace with reality—grocery prices had doubled while his bills continued mounting.

The breaking point came one afternoon in his local grocery store's dairy aisle. Standing there, Eric found himself staring at a simple gallon of milk—something he'd purchased without thought for decades, knowing he could no longer justify the expense.

That moment of quiet desperation brought him to MEND, where dignity meets need and no one must choose between basic necessities.

Thanks to your generosity, Eric received nutritious groceries that day — including the milk he had gone without. And for the first time in a while, he felt cared for...seen....and supported.

Encouraged, Eric returned to MEND the following week — and that visit changed everything.
He discovered our Gateways Employment Services, which helps vulnerable job seekers just like Eric find employment. He got help with writing his resume and started to apply for jobs. With guidance and his own renewed determination, Eric landed a position at Discovery Cube as a cleaning and maintenance service worker.

“MEND didn’t just help me find a job,” he shares. “They helped me believe in myself again.”

Today, Eric is proud of his work and grateful for the stability and confidence it brings.
What began with a bag of groceries became the first step toward a brand-new chapter.

And it’s all possible because of you - thank you.

Every gift and every kind act help make stories like Eric's a reality.