Kelvin spotted a man who appeared to be homeless outside a coffee shop in Baton Rouge. In a touching gesture, he offered the man his only dollar.
To Kelvin’s surprise, the man was not actually homeless. He was Matt Busbice, the owner of a local sporting goods store.
Moved by Kelvin’s generosity, Busbice decided to show his gratitude specially. He surprised Kelvin with a shopping spree at his store, turning the boy’s simple act of kindness into a memorable and rewarding experience.
Matt Busbice, an accomplished entrepreneur who has built and sold several outdoor companies worth millions, experienced a startling incident in his condo complex. Awakened abruptly by the sound of the fire alarm, Matt rushed downstairs to investigate the situation. To his relief and surprise, he discovered that there was no fire. The alarm had gone off without an actual emergency, providing a moment of unexpected drama in his otherwise successful life.
Despite being disheveled and dressed in mismatched clothes, Matt Busbice decided to go out for a cup of coffee since he was already awake.
This decision, reported by CBS News, led him to the coffee shop where his encounter with young Kelvin Ellis Jr. took place, resulting in the heartwarming story of generosity and unexpected rewards.
While waiting, he chose to get some coffee and paused outside to pray.
“I began to slowly open my eyes and noticed a kid approaching me, around my height,” Busbice recounted.
Initially, when he observed the boy’s clenched fist, Busbice assumed Kelvin was gearing up for a confrontation.
Yet, to Busbice’s surprise, Kelvin then opened his hand, revealing the single dollar bill he had extended.
Kelvin remembered saying to Busbice, “I asked, ‘Excuse me, Sir, are you homeless? If you are, here’s a dollar.”
Kelvin further elaborated that he had earned the dollar through his academic achievements.
Even though it was all the money he had, Kelvin was enthusiastic about giving it to someone he thought needed it more than he did.
“I’ve always wanted to assist a homeless person, and I finally had the opportunity,” Kelvin commented.
Moved by the boy’s kindness, Busbice invited Kelvin for a snack and had a conversation with his father.
Later, Busbice extended an invitation to Kelvin for a shopping spree at his store, BuckFeather.
Kelvin had 40 seconds to select anything he desired, and among his choices was a new bike.
Despite being pleased with the bike, Kelvin made it clear that he didn’t anticipate any reward when he gave away his dollar.
He emphasized that helping someone brought him joy.
“When you give something away, it feels like you’ve gained a lot in return,” Kelvin remarked.
Busbice, profoundly affected by the boy’s generosity, expressed, “I haven’t felt this much faith in humanity in a long time.”
He continued, “When you give, you receive more in return. As a child, I couldn’t fully comprehend that. But if we can instill this principle in others, it could transform everything.”
In recent years, Louisiana’s homeless population has undergone significant changes, possibly influenced by events like Hurricane Ida in 2021, as reported by Business Insider.
According to the 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, between 2020 and 2022, Louisiana witnessed the second-largest surge in homelessness, with numbers escalating by 132.4%.
However, in 2023, Louisiana experienced the largest decrease in the percentage of homeless individuals, with a decline of 57% compared to the previous year.
Here are some ways you can assist homeless people in your community, according to the Ripple Kindness Project:
How Can You Help the Homeless?
- Treat them with dignity: Show homeless individuals the courtesy and consideration you would offer to anyone else in need.
- Be kind: A simple act of kindness, like a friendly word or smile, can make a big difference in someone’s day.
- Provide resources: Carry cards with information about local shelters to distribute to homeless individuals you meet.
- Share meals: Bring extra sandwiches or pack additional lunch items to offer to those seeking assistance.
- Donate clothing: Give away good-quality clothes to organizations helping homeless people find housing.
- Donate groceries: Collect non-perishable items and donate them to food drives or local shelters.
- Volunteer at shelters: Donate your time to shelters, helping with various tasks or providing support to those in need.
- Volunteer at soup kitchens: Assist with preparing and serving meals, aiding individuals experiencing food insecurity.
- Advocate for change: Get involved in local initiatives and organizations addressing homelessness and advocating for long-term solutions.
- See how the Louisiana boy’s generous act moved the owner of BuckFeather in the video below:
