A man in Pittsburgh has gone viral after working to fight food insecurity amid SNAP benefit cuts by setting up a food pantry in his front yard.
What started out as a $150 grocery run with his sons on Steelers Sunday to help support their local community has soared to viral acclaim on social media, prompting others to do the same.
AJ Owen first took to TikTok on Oct. 26, sharing a video of a small food pantry he had set up on his front lawn: large bins filled with nonperishables and snacks from ALDI.
However, it was a subsequent video in which he revealed he had received an anonymous cash donation to assist with the effort that amassed millions of views and comments.
The envelope of hundred dollar bills had no name, Owen said, just a note that read, “May God prosper and bless your food pantry.” That video has since garnered over 16 million views on TikTok.
“My body started shaking. I started crying,” he told ABC News, recounting the moment he pulled the money from his mailbox. “And this was the best cry ever, because whatever you want to believe, an angel truly, you know, came down and blessed us that day. And we’ve been doing good ever since.”
While Owen estimated they’ve helped at least 100 families in the area so far, he has no plans to stop anytime soon.
“People need to eat. People deserve to be fed — it’s no different than me inviting you over to my house for dinner,” he said. “Come on — grab a meal, grab a drink. Whatever you need, I’m here.”