Margaret wasn’t ready to slow down.

At 85 years old, the widow still worked as a waitress in Concord. She enjoyed greeting her regular customers, staying busy, and earning the extra income that helped her continue to live independently in the home she loved.

Then her vision began to fade.

After undergoing cataract surgery on both eyes, Margaret had no choice but to step away from work while she recovered. The time away was unavoidable, but that also meant every missed shift resulted in less money coming in.

Doing Everything Right

Margaret had done everything she could. She had been approved for fuel and utility assistance through a local community program, but those benefits hadn’t become available yet.

But the piling bills couldn’t wait.

Like many older adults living on a limited income, Margaret found herself caught in a difficult gap. She had help on the way, but time was running out.

That’s when she reached out to Catholic Charities New Hampshire.

A Bridge to Stability

With support from generous donors, Catholic Charities New Hampshire helped Margaret bridge the gap. Working with her utility provider, staff helped establish a payment plan she could realistically maintain.

The relief was immediate.

Instead of worrying about the bills, Margaret could focus on what mattered most: healing from surgery, returning to work, and maintaining the independence she worked so hard to preserve.

Because of compassionate supporters like you, older adults facing unexpected hardships don’t have to face them alone.

Sometimes, a helping hand is all it takes to bridge the gap between an unexpected setback and stability.