When we encounter someone in need, we have a choice – to ignore the plea and walk away, or to lend a helping hand. It’s a simple decision, but it can make all the difference in someone’s life.
Often, we are more willing to help those we know well – our family and friends. But when it comes to strangers, especially homeless individuals, we may hesitate or turn a blind eye. Fear, uncertainty, and doubts about how our assistance may be used can hold us back. However, it is important to remember that homeless people are among the most vulnerable in our society, and they often crave even the smallest acts of kindness.
One Burger King worker, a compassionate young man named Matthew Resendez, understood this very well. In 2018, while working his evening shift, Matthew encountered a homeless man walking into the restaurant. Serving homeless customers was not unusual for Matthew, but this time, the man posed an unusual question.
Approaching the counter, the scruffy man asked, “What can I get for 50 cents?”
Matthew had two choices. He could have replied with the harsh reality – that 50 cents wouldn’t even buy the smallest item on the menu. But instead, Matthew chose to respond with generosity.
Matthew decided to ring up the heartiest meal on the menu and paid for it out of his own pocket. Little did he know that a diner had witnessed this act of kindness and was moved to pay it forward by tipping Matthew $100!
Upon hearing about her son’s actions, Matthew’s mother, Michelle Resendez, felt an overwhelming sense of pride. She took to Facebook to share the heartwarming story and express her admiration for her son’s compassionate nature.
Now, stories like this often end there. But in this case, the impact of Matthew’s kind gesture was far-reaching. The woman who witnessed the act of kindness not only wrote to the company to acknowledge the caring employee, but she also rewarded Matthew with a generous tip.
Michelle Resendez, in her Facebook post, wrote, “I am so proud to be his mom and I can pat myself on the back knowing that I’ve played a part in raising this big-hearted young man.”
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder that when we choose kindness, we are all rewarded. Let’s share this story to inspire others and commend Matthew for his incredible gesture!
