Ana Maria and her husband, Marciano, have two children, Tatiana, 9, and Omar, 14. Marciano was laid off last year from his factory job and is still struggling to find work. He takes side jobs such as shoveling snow whenever they are available, and Ana Maria babysits for 2 children in the neighborhood, but they barely bring in enough money to pay for the rent and utilities. There is nothing left over for basic necessities.

Ana Maria spends her time volunteering at the school where her daughter is. She is very close with the teachers and other parents. She also has to keep a close watch over her son who has been diabetic for most of his life. Ana Maria tells Reason to Give that when Omar was 7, his blood sugar levels were so high that the doctors told them it was a miracle he was still alive.

Ana Maria is only asking Reason to Give for help with two things: shoes for her children and a refrigerator. Omar has grown out of his old shoes and has to wear his fathers shoes which are too big to fit him. Tatiana needs shoes as well. Ana Maria and Marciano have also been living without a working refrigerator, and as is the case with much low-income housing, appliances are not included with the living space. Ana Maria tells us that with very little money to begin with, it is extremely hard when there is no way to keep their food from spoiling. Its also hard for Omar to eat what he needs to to stay healthy when they cannot keep food at home.

Ana Maria was nervous about asking Reason to Give for help, but she wanted to do what was best for her children. This family just needs a little help to get them through these hard times until Marciano can find work again.