MESA, Ariz. — It’s been a rough few years for Michelle Garcia.
“A few years ago, we had a fire and lost everything,” Garcia explained. “It was kind of hard to get back on my feet and it was just really hard for a while.”
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: La comunidad se une para ayudar a una maestra de educación especial que perdió todo en el incendio de su casa
The East Valley Special education teacher does not receive a paycheck during the summer months when school is out, making it particularly hard for her to make ends meet.
“So, I just have to hang on to every penny and try to distribute it as best I can to make sure that, especially the electric bill going up during the summer, and for the last couple years my rent just keeps going up higher and higher,” Garcia said.
To supplement her grocery budget and make the most of every cent, Garcia visits her local food pantry to make sure her family eats a healthy dinner every night.
“Well, I'm a single mom with three kids, and just trying to make sure that we get food on the table. it's what you got to do,” said Garcia.
Garcia’s car has been reliable but has needed some TLC. New tires were not something that was in her budget. That’s where United Food Bank and Meineke Car Care Center stepped in. Volunteers at her food pantry mentioned Garcia’s need and “Meineke” Mike Jackson stepped up.
“Tires are very important on everyone's vehicle,” Jackson said. “It’s where the rubber meets the road, right? So, we want to make sure that we can get somebody some safe tires. It's a safety issue.”
Meineke Car Care Center is a corporate partner with United Food Bank, supporting UFB’s Summer of a Million Meals. LaVon Jackson Maccanico and her son, who goes by “Meineke” Mike, run two Meineke shops in Mesa, shops #2829 and #2830, and have played a big role in supporting United Food Bank.
“I can't even express how grateful I am,” said Garcia, fighting through tears. “It's, it's so like, just an honor for me to be chosen to be the person. There's so many other families that probably could have really benefited from this, and for people to think of me and want to help me. Sorry, I get emotional. It just means so much to me.”
“Her being so grateful to have the opportunity to get tires, I think was amazing,” Jackson said. “I think it really kind of hits the nail on the head. We know how important tires are to people. We know how expensive they can be, and we know the struggles that people go through. So again, we just feel blessed to be able to help.”
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