Skip to content 
As fireworks prepared to light up the New Year’s Eve sky, Clara Whitmore sat quietly in her small apartment, holding her eight-month-old daughter, Lily. While many people were celebrating with family and friends, Clara was facing one of the most difficult evenings of her life.
The can of baby formula on the kitchen counter was nearly empty. She gently
shook it, hoping there might be enough left for one more bottle. Only a few small grains remained.
Clara checked her bank balance again, even though she already knew the number by heart.
Three dollars and twenty-seven cents.
For months, she had been doing everything possible to stay afloat. Every bill had been stretched. Every expense had been carefully