HAMDEN, Conn. (NewsNation Now) —As families struggle across the country from COVID-19 pandemic-related financial stress, one Connecticut father’s plea for help brought a national response.

Michael Carey, a single father of a 3-year-old girl, lost his job because of the pandemic. He began driving for Uber Eats to make ends meet, but stopped after getting two flat tires and having his insurance lapse.

Carey turned to Facebook for help gathering food and supplies for his daughter.

“I’ve been going to the food pantry but they only give so much and so I posted a status on Facebook asking for help,” Carey told NewsNation Affiliate WTNH.

Within minutes, he received over 200 comments and then people across the country began sending him food, clothes, and supplies.

“I’ve got packages coming from Illinois, New Hampshire, Maine. I mean I don’t even know these people, they are just offering help,” Carey said. “I feel horrible taking this, but I have a 3-year-old, and I have to do what is best for her.”

He is grateful to those strangers despite his initial reluctance to post for help.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I was embarrassed to ask for help. I was ashamed to do it. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t take care of my 3-year-old, but at the same time, with all of these helping hands, ask for help. It’s all I can say,” Carey said.

NewsNation affiliate WTNH contributed to this report.