At 11:47 on New Year’s Eve, Clara Bennett sent a desperate message to a number she believed belonged to an elderly woman who had helped her before.

“Mrs. Evelyn, I’m so sorry to bother you this late. Lily hasn’t eaten properly since this morning, and I’ve run out of formula. I only need $50. I promise I’ll pay you back on Friday when I get paid. I wouldn’t ask if I had any other choice.”

She stared at the message for several seconds before adding another line.

“Please don’t think I’m taking advantage of your kindness. I’m just scared, and I don’t know what else to do.”

Then she pressed Send.

Her eight-month-old daughter began crying again.

Clara closed her eyes.

“Please, sweetheart,” she whispered, lifting Lily from the thin blanket spread across the sofa. “Please don’t cry. Mommy is trying. I promise you, Mommy is trying.”

But promises couldn’t fill an empty bottle.