01/18/2023
Happy 2023 Soupers! So here's the ladle...
In 2019 I was ill and unable to work. I had been running my business by myself while caring for an ailing domestic partner and a household. Which is what broke me and had me unable to continue working at the end of 2018. The biggest problem with receiving Assistance then was that I was told by more than 1 doctor that my illness was in my head! I am not alone in that as I've learned from too many others whom have been failed by their medical "providers" which is terrible.
By the beginning of 2020 I was feeling way better and ready to cook again. As it turned out, COVD had everything shut down. In April of '20 my spouse died which eliminated any and all incoming revenue. After exhausting my bank account and credit cards to survive (as many were forced to during the pandemic) I was completely broke. Because I hadn't worked in 2019 I didnt qualify for a single cent of pandemic relief. No way. No how.
Foreclosure. Hunger. Disconnected utilities. Daily walks to the local pawn shop because I couldn't afford auto insurance. All the things...
Towards the end of '21 I was to lose mu home.By the grace of God, that did not happen.
Finally by spring of 2022 I applied for Food stamps and Homeowners assistance. I also begrudgingly applied for Disability as I saw no other avenue for assistance. It didn't matter that I was a middle aged(ish!), widowed, amputee who worked a job and started a business even after losing my hand. I was begged and borrowed out and had no more things to sell. I was denied. If it wasn't for the State of Alaska I wouldn't have had heat nor food nor my home.
In the Fall of 2022 I reapplied for Disability and am presently in the process of being "evaluated" to see if Im eligible. I made it clear that it is of utmost importance to me that I continue operating Just Soup. Regardless, I must wait to see if they will grant me assistance or make the decision to "retrain me" vocationally. It doesn't matter that I've already got my own business that I love and that is loved back! I waited to explain all of this to you because I didn't have any definitive answers nor plan other than wanting to get "back out there" which clearly wasn't enough. At this point, aside of advertising and experience, I'm beginning from scratch.
I am optimistic that things will work out in my favor and I'll get to see you again! At which time I can provide a phone # seeing as I lost the old one and can't imagine how many "wrong #" calls the new owner must have recieved requesting soup orders! Im also extremely grateful to still be Anchorage's only business devoted to Just Soup! Thank u so much for the ongoing positive and encouraging support! See you all soon!
