Kenneth Smith was homeless, hungry, and unemployed in Forth Worth, Texas just months ago. But that all changed after one stranger reached out to him.
A kind woman asked Smith if he was alright as he was sitting outside of an Outback Steakhouse in the area. He told he wasn't at the time, and she responded by gifting him a $100 gift card to Outback so he could get himself some food. While Smith was eating his meal, he started talking to Outback's managing partner Laura Hodges. During that conversation, Smith shared how he was able to eat in there that evening. Hodges decided to help him even more.
Hodges recalled to news outlet WFAA, "I said 'Hey, I don't ever want you to want for food or go hungry. I want you to always have somewhere that you can get a warm meal. So here's my business card. Bring it anytime.'" He returned for warm meals for nearly five months on and off before he asked for a job at the restaurant. He got a job bussing tables and cleaning up, where he's been working for the last month.
Though, that's not where Hodges stopped. She asked the Fort Worth Foodie Facebook group with help in getting a roof over Hodges head. The post was flooded with community members offering to donate money or pay for Smith's stay. The post generated a room at the Extended Stay hotel for the last six weeks, plus $2,200 in money, a bike, clothing, kitchen items, and groceries.
The chain of kind events has put Smith in a much better position to start saving money to purchase a car and eventually, a home. He's very thankful for the good fortune and to the woman who kickstarted his second chance all by providing him a gift card.
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