i lied about my father hitting me to get money

I lied to a customer about my abusive father hitting me, just to get money from him. I was 14 or 15 at the time and already not doing well mentally. Soon after I started working at a fast food restaurant as a student job. I was doing okay until I had a mental breakdown on the job and had to go home. They called my parents and told them what had happened but I didn't tell them the real reason I had the breakdown. I made up a story about my father beating me and kicking me out of the house. They believed me and started giving me money for food and stuff. I felt so bad after the first time they gave me money but I didn't want to admit that I lied because I was too ashamed. So I just took the money. The next time they offered me money, I took it again. And the time after that, and so on. They gave me money for over a year, even after I had quit the job. I felt so bad and I couldn't admit the truth. I was already over 18 at the time and I still took their money. I'm really ashamed of myself.<br><br>Edit: Hi, everyone. This is the girl that was giving me the money. I think it's about time someone else told their side of the story. Most of what she has said here is not entirely accurate. I'm not sure why she would say that her parents kicked her out when that is not what she told us. She told us that her mom had thrown her down the stairs and her dad had broken her ribs. She told us that her parents were addicted to drugs and she was going to be homeless because they had spent her college money on their habits. She told us that she was hungry and could not afford food. She told us that she had no one to turn to and was all alone. We could not not help this child. And when she did not have enough money to pay her bills, we gave her money. There was never a question about it. She is the same as my daughter. I have two children of my own and If either of them were in that situation, I would hope someone else would help them. I would think less of myself if I did not do everything I could to help her not be homeless and have food. And I think she has told this lie because she is unable to forgive herself. We do not care that she lied. She is our daughter.