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Start-up fund for Isabel: reopening a street-food cart after a fire in the building

A street-food cart in León needs help replacing a gas stove and two refrigerators after a fire in the building.

🇲🇽 León, Guanajuato, Mexico2,749 views
Isabel A. Álvarez
Email verified
León
For six years I have run a street-food cart in León. In March, a fire in the building took a gas stove and two refrigerators. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Wednesday, and I employed 3 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 4 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $1,150 goes: • Replacing a gas stove and two refrigerators: $560 • Initial stock: ingredients: $260 • Shop repairs and licensing: $185 • Working capital for the first month: $145 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure. - Isabel

Updates from Isabel

  1. Update from León: we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. We're at 36% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 19% now ($220). I'm honestly stunned. the plan for working capital for the first month is now scheduled.

  • Eugene D. Hamilton 🇦🇺 · $200
  • Harish P. Gowda 🇮🇳 · $100

    “Praying for you. I'm in Jaipur, thinking of you.”

  • Rylee K. Ward 🇬🇧 · $65.50
  • Meltem Hatice Aktaş 🇹🇷 · $50
  • Gabriela Cristiane Prado 🇧🇷 · $50
  • Khalid Omar Soliman 🇪🇬 · $45

    “Take care of yourselves. Only $45 but hope it helps.”

  • Francis Papa Gyasi 🇬🇭 · $27

    “Every little bit. Only $27 but hope it helps. - Madina”

  • Nkechi Modupe Ajayi 🇳🇬 · $25

    “Thought of Isabel all day after reading this. - Epe”

  • Greyson D. Watson 🇬🇧 · $25
  • Deepika Zoysa 🇱🇰 · $25
  • Elias Uwe Hahn 🇩🇪 · $25

    “You got this. Hope this covers a bit of it. - Mannheim”

  • Mitu Mim Islam 🇧🇩 · $25
  • Oliver J. Torres 🇺🇸 · $20.50
  • Wulan Elsa Simanjuntak 🇮🇩 · $20

    “Sending love. Thought of Isabel all day after reading this.”

  • Anonymous 🇩🇪 · $20
  • Anoma Jayanthi Liyanage 🇱🇰 · $20

    “Keep your head up. Been where you're, it gets better. - Dehiwala”

  • Emeka Babatunde Hassan 🇳🇬 · $20
  • Mavis Efua Twum 🇬🇭 · $20

    “Be well. Thought of Isabel all day after reading this. - Accra”

  • Patrice L. Williams 🇯🇲 · $15

    “Happy to help. Hope the July deadline works out. - Spanish Town”

  • Günter Peter Keller 🇩🇪 · $10

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  • You're not alone, Isabel. Shared it with a few friends.

    • Good luck, Isabel. Small businesses are the heart of León. Hope you're open again soon. I went through something like this 6 years ago and strangers helped me out

      • Wishing you the best, Isabel. Hope you make a strong comeback.

        • You're not alone, Isabel. Hope you get there. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. Love from Negombo

          • thinking of you, Isabel. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. All the best.

            • Fitri Tika MaulanaPhoto verified

              I hope things turn around soon. Wish I lived closer to Flint so I could bring a meal. All the best.

              • Akoth Janet KipropQuestionID verified

                Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Isabel.

                • It's all in the list in the story. replacing a gas stove and two refrigerators is the big one at $560, I'll post a receipt when it's paid. I'll keep the page updated.

              • Praying for you, Isabel. Hope the shop reopens soon. Love from Petrópolis.

                • Best of luck. Hope you make a strong comeback. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. All the best.

                  • thanks for sharing this. Hope you make a strong comeback. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Blessings.

                    • Kunal F. NaikPhoto verified

                      Praying for you. Your post was clear and honest. I hope July is when things finally get easier.

                      • Thanks for sharing this. Hope you get there. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Blessings

                        • Hope things get better soon. Shared it with a few friends. My husband and I read this together. Love from Kelowna.

                          • Thinking of you and your family. Shared this with my family. Love from Cologne

                            • You're not alone. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. I'll check back for the next update. Love from Sukkur.

                              • Your post was clear and honest. I have a 5 year old who wants to send good wishes too

                                • stay strong, Isabel. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like.

                                  • wishing you the best, Isabel. Your post was clear and honest.

                                    • Hope it all works out. Shared this with my family. I'll check back for the next update. Greetings from Karlsruhe.

                                      • Winda WibowoPhoto verified

                                        Best of luck. Looking forward to the next update. Wish I lived closer to Victoria so I could bring a meal. Take care.

                                        • Keep going, Isabel. Small businesses are the heart of León. Hope you're open again soon.

                                          • So sorry you're going through this, Isabel. Shared this with my family. It's not much but it's yours.

                                            $859 raised of $1,150

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