CASE 94

N, 53, is the disabled single father of a 7-year-old. After a 2009 accident left him with a spinal cord injury, he's unable to work, except for occasional grass cutting in the summer. It's a struggle to pay even basic monthly expenses; the two are living on a very low fixed income. They need money for the basics, like groceries. They're short on household items, like pots and pans. And N would very much like to be able to buy some nice gifts for his son and give the little boy a happy Christmas.

CASE 95

L is a 36-year-old mother of four children whose life took a turn for the worse when she lost her job due to downsizing at her company two years ago. Unable to pay many of her bills, L lost her home, and her car was repossessed. She has a minimum wage job at a local hospital, but her pay is less than what she was receiving from unemployment. Her wages are being garnisheed to pay off medical and other bills. She has blood clots in her lung and legs and a blood disorder. Her two sons and two daughters, who range in age from 9 to 17, have a hard time understanding why they no longer get birthday presents and money for field trips. L would be grateful this Christmas season for help buying food, furniture and gifts for her children.

Profiles by Sarah Bryan Miller and Margaret Gillerman of the Post-Dispatch.