Finding Hope with So What Else: A Personal Journey
Interview with a dedicated Baltimore Volunteer “Lillian”
“In 2022, my family faced one of the most challenging times of our lives. At just 23 weeks into my pregnancy, I experienced a premature rupture that required a lengthy hospital stay. During this time, my husband had to leave work to care for our two toddlers, as we had no close friends or relatives nearby who could help.
The loss of our son was devastating, and shortly after, we were evicted from our home because my husband couldn’t keep up with rent while managing everything alone. This forced our family into a motel, where we lived for over two years. The cost of staying there was far more than our previous rent, draining every penny we had. With an eviction on our record and limited income, finding new housing seemed impossible.
Finally, my husband found a landlord willing to give us a chance. We moved into a new home, but with just one income and no childcare for our toddlers, we struggled to afford utilities and basic household essentials. We were running low on food, diapers, and other necessities when I desperately searched for help online. That’s when I found So What Else.
I reached out and immediately received a response from Justin (Baltimore Food Rescue Bank Director). I explained our situation, and the very next day, he arrived with food, diapers, and toiletries for our family. His kindness didn’t stop there—over the past year, Justin has continued to support us, delivering essentials whenever we needed them. He even brought winter jackets for our toddlers and connected us with holiday assistance.
This year, for the first time in three years, we can finally celebrate Christmas—and my son’s 5th birthday—because of the generosity of So What Else. Words can’t express how grateful we are for the support and hope they’ve given us during such a difficult time.”
*Client’s real name has been withheld for privacy
