AJ Owen, a father from Pittsburgh with two boys ages 7 and 9, had an idea. On October 26, they went to the grocery store and purchased some extra items for people in need. They created a food pantry in their front yard with a small tote and two hand coolers. AJ wanted his boys to understand the importance of giving back to the community.
Videos by InspireMore
“I try to keep my kids updated on what’s happening in the world, but they’re helpers. They’ve always been helpers,” AJ told People. “I told them about SNAP potentially going away, and they said, ‘How can we help people?’ And this was the answer.”
The Family’s Food Pantry Went Viral On TikTok
For all of the negative we hear about social media, there is a lot of good that comes from it, too. AJ’s food pantry TikTok went viral, and things moved very quickly. He posted a tear-filled video a few days later of an incredibly generous anonymous gift. Someone left an envelope with thousands of dollars in cash and a note that simply read, “May God prosper and bless your food pantry.”
AJ told People the gesture completely overwhelmed him.
“I truly didn’t know how to react. I froze; I started shaking, and I started crying.”
AJ added the anonymous donation, which began a chain reaction of kindness on social media. With close to 18 million views and more than 4 million likes, it’s very clear that the food pantry was a fantastic idea.
“It was such a moving gift to have that person trust that that money would be in there all night, that I would find it, and that me and my boys would do good with it. And we are,” AJ said.
Kindness begets kindness. In a world that can be ugly, be like AJ and his sons. Spread love and joy.
You can find this story’s featured image here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.
