NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Dozens Offer Aid to Woman Unable to Buy Bus Pass

A day after unemployed Mary Barbucescu broke down in tears after being unable to buy an MTA monthly pass to search for a job, dozens of people who read her story in The Times on Thursday reached out to help.

Another unemployed woman called and offered $10. Two CHP dispatchers dropped by her North Hollywood home with cash. And an actress who once played a factory worker on a television comedy tried to find Barbucescu a job at a real factory.

“Most people in this town would say, ‘Oh my God, this is terrible,’ and just turn the page,” said the actress, who asked not to be identified. “It’s really time for all of us to stop turning the page.”

For her part, Barbucescu was flabbergasted at the response. “I feel faint,” she said.

Although a kind onlooker gave her the extra $7 Wednesday to purchase her monthly pass, the Romanian immigrant is not looking for any more handouts. She has not worked in six months and will begin riding the bus today looking for work.

“Thank you very much,” she said of the offers of help. “I want only a job. It’s been six months of crying. Maybe God wants me not to suffer anymore.”