Thread by @nytimes

In 2020, many of the world’s most vulnerable people faced their most difficult year.

The Neediest Cases Fund – a New York Times tradition of over 100 years – supported 10 organizations helping people during the pandemic. Here are some of their stories. nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

Ida Feygina, 92, is a Holocaust survivor. Her husband of 55 years died in May, and her Social Security income was halved.

A nonprofit supported by The Neediest Cases Fund helped her with the financial strain. “They are like my second family,” she said. nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

Sheeba Shafaq, who is from Afghanistan, faced threats for her work teaching women about reproductive health.
She received asylum in the U.S. last year.

Now she leads a Covid-19 testing site in California. nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

“There’s nothing more honorable than a veteran giving back to another veteran.”

Robert McMahon, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, became homeless a decade ago after his dad died. Now back on his feet, he helps those going through similar struggles. nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

“We saw what the virus was doing to Indigenous communities as a whole,” said Kiona Arellanes, who co-founded Hopi Relief. The nonprofit delivers supplies to Hopi reservations and communities.

“We saw there were some things that needed to be done.” nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

“Not only is it OK for you as a frontline worker to take care of yourself,” said Lisa Furst of Vibrant Emotional Health. “It’s actually imperative that you do it.”

The organization helped social service workers get emotional support during the pandemic.
nyti.ms/3pEvMmw

Facing hardships wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, The Neediest Cases Fund’s beneficiaries gave a helping hand to those who needed it the most.

Read more stories of hope from 2020. nyti.ms/3pEvMmw