Texas Homeless Man Gets Job And Fresh Start After Stranger's Act Of Kindness

April 17, 2021

An act of compassion from a total stranger completely changed the course of a homeless man's life.

woman helps homeless man back on his feet
Kenneth Smith / Laura Hodges

A few months ago, Kenneth Smith was in a chair outside a Fort Worth Outback Steakhouse hungry and half asleep.

A woman leaving the restaurant approached him and asked him if he was okay.

"She asked me was I alright, so I told her, 'No, I'm not okay at this time," Smith told WFAA.

She gave him a $100 gift card to buy dinner.

While sitting in the booth, Smith met the restaurant's managing partner, Laura Hodges.

"I said, 'Hey, I don't ever want you to want for food or go hungry'," Hodges said. "I want you to always have somewhere that you can get a warm meal. So, here's my business card. Bring it anytime."

Last month, Hodges hired Smith to bus tables at the restaurant.

But Smith still needed help finding a place to stay, so Hodges posted on the Fort Worth Foodies Facebook page asking if anyone knew of a motel with affordable rates.

Instead, generous commenters have now paid for six weeks at a nearby Extended Stay hotel, and have donated more than $2,200 along with a bike, clothing, kitchen items and groceries.

"I think it's so much of a good blessing, and it's wonderful just to have people these days that'll do things for you," said Smith.

Smith is saving up his money for a car, then a home and one day hopes to have his own food service business.

"This is a whole new beginning that God has blessed me with, so I'm trying to get on this right good track that he wants me to stay on," said Smith.

And it all started with a stranger and a $100 gift card.

"We wish we could find her and know who she was because she blessed both of our lives. This has been a great thing for both of us," Hodges said. "I'm blown away by the generosity of people. It's absolutely amazing."

Watch the local news report below.