Brighten Your Day

Kroger Manager Hires Homeless Woman Who Was Sleeping In The Store's Parking Lot

September 6, 2020

A manager at a Kroger grocery store in Nashville hired a woman who had been sleeping in its parking lot for a year.

Jackie Vandal hugs LaShenda Williams / Credit: The Tennessean

LaShenda Williams told USA Today that she had been battling drug addition and had been spending the nights in her car at a Nashville Kroger after driving around different locations during the day.

"I would lean my seat all the way back so no one would see me because, you know, I knew I wasn't supposed to be there," Williams told Today.

At the end of last year, Jackie Vandal, a hiring manager at Kroger, noticed Williams and encouraged her to attend an upcoming job fair. With some help from Vandal, Williams spent a few hours filling out the application. Once Vandal saw the message indicating she had successfully applied, Vandal hired her on the spot.

"I've been here, actually this month, the 10th will be 10 months. You know it's a great day!" exclaimed Williams.

Williams' happiness overflows. Her smile, from ear to ear.

"I love it, I get excited every day to come in. I can't wait to see the workers who I work with. I can't wait to see the customers," said Williams.

Her positive attitude has been a blessing to the staff, too.

"She's a fantastic worker, I wish I had 120 of her," said Vandal told WKRN.

"We are so lucky to have Lashenda as part of our Kroger family. Her uplifting spirit is contagious. She has made such a positive impact on her fellow team members, and so many customers as well," Melissa Eads, a corporate affairs manager for Kroger told Today.

Williams says it is easy to be enthusiastic after everything that has happened.

"I was sleeping in a parking lot and looking for something to eat. Now, all my babies here love on me. No one abuses me, and no one calls me dumb and stupid. For the first time in my life, I finally got peace," Williams told USA Today.

Watch the video below.