PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 A Phoenix woman and her mother, who have been struggling to get by, got a big boost this Christmas from total strangers after asking for help on social media.<\/p>\n
Elena White and her mother Annette are like many Arizona families, wondering how they\u2019ll pay the bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the sole provider, so its me versus rent, me versus electric, me versus groceries,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
Things have been especially tough for the pair over the holidays, with White losing her job and being forced to sell her car. Two days before Christmas, White decided to swallow her pride and post a message on her Nextdoor app asking for help with food and groceries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile writing it, I had to remind myself everybody is going through this and its ok, people there have good faith, very sweet people,\u201d White said. \u201cThe worst that can happen is, I don\u2019t receive help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Within minutes, White was flooded with comments from people who wanted to help, offering to drop off groceries or directing her where she could get assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven Christmas morning there was someone driving around for Salvation Army she felt bad she didn\u2019t have any extra so she just went to Chompies and got us a meal, yeah it was quick,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
Kevin and Marcia Baker were among those who donated groceries. \u201cA lot of people give and never talk about it but I think its important to talk about giving because it reminds other people to do that if you are able to,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
White\u2019s fridge is now full of food, including a turkey, ham, vegetables and other items. Her cupboard is also packed. People also dropped off toiletries and other essentials.<\/p>\n
White said words can\u2019t describe how grateful she is for all the kindness from random strangers, and she can\u2019t wait to be able to do the same for someone else someday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is exactly what Christmas is all about giving and being with loved ones taking care of each other that\u2019s what its all about,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
White has been working part-time at several places and is hoping to get a full-time job after the first of the year. She said just knowing there are so many neighbors and strangers willing to step up and help is the best Christmas present she could ask for.<\/p>\n
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