“You Could Be a Professional and Still Live Check to Check”

Monique spent 14 years shaping young minds in New York City classrooms — and still found herself choosing between bills and groceries. Food insecurity doesn’t discriminate. Today, pantries like Beth-Hark in Harlem give her family more than meals — choice, dignity, and peace of mind. Because of supporters like you, families like Monique’s don’t have to face hard moments alone.

Give today for the women raising the next generation of leaders.

Transcript:

Monique, Educator:

Food, clothing, shelter, and air. You know what I mean? Come on.

It’s a necessity. We live in America. We live in New York City, which is so rich in so many ways, but there are a lot of populations that are struggling. You could be a professional and still, like, live check to check.

You know? And when I was teaching, I was like, oh, you’re a teacher. Yeah. At one point, I made seventy-eight thousand dollars, but I have three kids.

The rent is over two thousand dollars. Good afternoon. I’m currently unemployed. I received SNAP benefits.

It’s not enough for the whole month. You don’t have to do anything. Life is life and life happens. Right?

And I think, you know, you see a lot of people who are just making it day by day and check by check just like I am. Your support matters.

The services that are provided are needed. Thank you for using your money for the sake of people that you don’t even know. I mean, I think that is, you know, work that people have love and compassion for those who they don’t even know, but know that their work is needed and necessary.