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 own 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."
Owen said he has shared his family's efforts on local community Facebook pages to help spread the word about the food pantry, which is stocked with everything from bread to fresh eggs, salad dressing, vegetables and fruit bars, as well as instant just-add-water meals and more.
In the past week, Owen has scaled up his efforts as donations have poured in, including contributions from local police. He said he has made more Costco runs and added long plastic tables, even coming home from one outing to find multiple fully stocked weatherproof bins.
The South Hills resident even got a surprise visit from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black and his fiancee, who made an appearance in another TikTok when they dropped off "a ton of food" for Owen's pantry.
"I had one person say, 'Oh, well, I have enough for one or two days. So when that's gone, I'll come over.' And I said, 'No, come now,'" Owen said.
The ripple effect has extended beyond the Steel City, with dozens of commenters sharing their own kind deeds, including making similar mini food pantries for their communities.
While Owen estimated they've helped at least 100 families in the area so far, he has no plans to stop any time 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."
