Hungry, In School, Still Showing Up

A respectful, clear ask—covering food, fees, and transport with transparent totals

“$7 covers lunch. Share or give if you can.”

— Rev. Brian Scott O’keefe

The story (brief, with respect)

Elissa is a full-time student who keeps showing up—on an empty stomach more days than she’ll admit. She’s paying fees in chunks, stretching bus fare, and choosing between a basic lunch or the ride home. There’s no drama here; there’s simply not enough money this month.

This is a small, specific fundraiser to keep her in class with food in her bag and fare on her card. If you’ve ever been one $7 lunch away from getting through a long afternoon, you understand exactly what this is.

What helps (itemized & transparent)

Initial one-month target: $360

Notes on transparency

• Totals are intentionally modest and practical.
• If fees change or receipts come in lower/higher, we’ll update the table and goal accordingly.
• I’ll maintain a simple public ledger (date, amount, category, note). If you need a receipt or have questions, reply in the comments and I’ll share details directly.

How you can help (primary CTA)

$7 covers lunch. Share or give if you can.

• Give $7 (one lunch)
• Give $21 (three lunches)
• Give $35 (five lunches)
• Give $60 (this week’s transport)
• Give $140 (a month of lunches)

If giving isn’t possible, sharing this post helps more than you think—especially with a quick note like: “Small, specific fundraiser for a student: $7 = lunch.”

Other helpful options (non-cash welcome)

• Transit card top-ups or ride sponsorship
• Prepaid grocery cards for shelf-stable basics
• Fee credits (if your org can pay a campus bill directly)
• A kind word—encouragement matters when you’re grinding through classes hungry

Updates & ledger

I’ll post running updates here: when goals are met, when fees change, and how every dollar moves. If you need something more formal (PDF summary, receipt snapshots), say the word and I’ll attach it to the ledger.

Gratitude

If you’ve read this far: thank you. You’re helping Elissa stay in school with the basics covered. That’s not abstract—it’s lunch, a bus ride, and a clear mind in class.

— Rev. Brian Scott O’keefe
“Small help, right now, can change a whole week.”