Tami Konzier was dining at Eat’n Park in Ross Township with her son when she overheard their 81-year-old waitress, Betty, sharing with another customer that she couldn’t afford to retire. Betty was living on $910 a month from Social Security and working despite mobility challenges. “My grandma was in her 80s.
I just couldn’t imagine her having to still work and provide,” Konzier said. She shared Betty’s story on TikTok, and the video quickly went viral, prompting an outpouring of support. Konzier started a GoFundMe campaign for Betty, which reached over $150,000 within a day, with additional contributions coming through Venmo.
“I didn’t expect it to blow up,” Konzier said, expressing her gratitude for the community’s generosity. Originally, the campaign’s goal was set at $25,000. However, the public’s response has been overwhelming, with donations surpassing $275,000 as of Friday.
While focused on aiding Betty, Konzier and her 10-year-old son, Leo, received touching advice from the elderly waitress: “Enjoy your life because it goes fast.”
A spokesperson for Eat’n Park expressed their joy at the community’s support, noting that Betty brings smiles to both customers and team members every day.
Community support transforms Betty’s future
More than 17 million adults aged 65 and older in the United States are economically insecure, earning below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) of $30,120 per year for a single person in 2024.
The situation is particularly dire among minority older adults, with 43.4% of Black and 44.1% of Hispanic seniors facing economic hardships. Social Security benefits lift 16.5 million older adults above the FPL, but many still struggle with monthly expenses, despite not being classified as “poor.” Poverty among seniors often stems from wage discrimination and time spent out of the workforce for caregiving, affecting their ability to save. Beth Mulvaney, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, emphasizes that Social Security was designed to be just one part of a three-legged stool of retirement, alongside pensions and savings.
Lower-paid workers often find it difficult to save sufficiently, leading to scenarios where Social Security is their only income source unless they continue working. Mulvaney explains that many retirees expect to continue working to make ends meet, but health issues can hinder this plan. Employment not only provides income but also access to benefits and social engagement.
The pandemic and subsequent inflation have forced some seniors out of retirement, revealing that their preparations were inadequate. Social Security, originally part of the 1935 “old age benefits” to create job opportunities for younger people, has evolved into a shared collective responsibility but remains inadequate for many. As federal budget talks continue, there is uncertainty about the future of Social Security and other support programs, adding to the concerns for seniors like Betty.
This heartwarming story is a testament to the power of community and compassion, bringing light to Betty’s life when she needed it most.
Image Credits: Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash
