A Teen Approached A Man In The Grocery Story, Then Both Of Their Lives Changed
Matt White lived a normal life. He went grocery shopping just like the rest of us, and on most days, his trips to the grocery store were pretty uneventful. One night, when he had just finished shopping at his local grocery store, he met a young boy who changed the way he thought about life. This boy came into Matt's life on an ordinary day, and he made that day extraordinary.
The boy offered Matt something, and from that moment on, Matt and this boy were connected. Keep reading to find out what happened next.
Matt White Is Just A Regular Guy
Meet Matt White. When this incident occurred, he was a 30-year-old man who had recently graduated from college. He was working in the music industry after studying music business at school. Matt would go to the grocery store once a week to pick up food and other necessities.
The grocery store Matt frequented was a Kroger in an upper-class part of Memphis, Tennessee. Most of the area surrounding this upper-class part of Memphis wasn't as well off.
Meeting For The First Time
Matt was about to leave the grocery store when a teenage boy starting walking towards him. The boy was completely alone, and Matt noticed that he looked kind of awkward and out of place. He wasn't holding any groceries and he didn't seem to be there to shop.
Matt wondered why this boy was walking in his direction. Was he going to ask for directions to the cereal aisle? Was he going to ask for money? But before Matt had time to formulate a hypothesis, the boy opened his mouth to speak.
This Is Chauncy Jones Black
The boy walked up to Matt and introduced himself as Chauncy Jones Black. When Chauncy and Matt met, Chauncy was just 16 years old. He wasn't from the upper-class part of Memphis. After school, he would travel by bus to the "rich people's Kroger" hoping that someone would let him work in return for food.
He wasn't going to beg for food and money. He wanted to work to earn his supper. That's why he walked up to Matt that day.
He Just Wanted A Job
Chauncy Jones Black looked like he hadn't eaten in a while. When Matt spoke about meeting Chauncy, he said that Chauncy looked "ashamed, hungry, and broken." Chauncy explained to Matt that he was willing to work for a bit of food. He said that he would help Matt carry his groceries to the car if Matt would buy him a box of doughnuts.
Later Matt said, “In my heart, I screamed a loud 'yes!’ But to him, I just chuckled and said, ‘yeah dude, we’ll get you some doughnuts.'"
The Beginning Of Something Beautiful
Matt White hated thinking about a kid like Chauncy feeling hungry and ashamed. He wanted to do something to help the kid out. Matt also wanted to learn more about why CHuancy was in the position that he was in. Why did he need to ask a stranger for a box of doughnuts? Matt started asking Chauncy some questions.
Chauncy was willing to open up about his personal life. He said that he lived with his mother and that they didn't have very much money.
Matt Didn't Just Do The Bare Minimum
Chauncy asked for a box of doughnuts, so Matt got him a box of doughnuts. But he didn't stop there. Doughnuts aren't the most nutritious snack in the world, and Matt wanted to get Chauncy something more substantial to eat.
Matt knew it wasn't his responsibility to feed Chauncy, but he appreciated that Chauncy was willing to work for his supper, so to speak. Chauncy wasn't begging for money, he was creating an employment opportunity for himself.
Matt Took Chauncy On A Shopping Spree
Clearly, Chauncy had an entrepreneurial spirit. Matt really liked that about him. Matt and Chauncy kept talking as they wandered through the grocery store. Matt led Chuancy through the different departments as he filled up an empty cart with everything from fruits and vegetables to household cleaners and toothpaste.
Chauncy couldn't believe what was happening. Matt was acting like his act of kindness was no big deal, and Chauncy appreciated how nonchalant he was being.
Chauncy Jones Black Wanted To Make Something Of Himself
While they were walking through the grocery store, these two strangers became friends. Matt was interested to learn more about Chauncy's personal life, and Chauncy was eager to tell somebody about his struggles. Chauncy told Matt all about school and his mother.
When Matt recounted this story, he said, "all the while we talked and he told me how he makes straight A's in school and is trying to get a job to help his mom pay rent. This kid was amazing."
Paying It Forward
Matt learned a lot about Chauncy doing their shopping excursion together. Matt noticed that Chauncy kept referring to himself as "poor." It seemed like being poor had become a part of Chauncy's identity.
Chauncy explained that when he finished school, he wanted to become a rich entrepreneur. He said that once he made money, he wanted to go back to his old neighborhood and help people just like Matt was helping him in that moment.
How Chauncy Got Home
Matt and Chauncy took their haul to the checkout and Matt paid for all of Chauncy's groceries. Chauncy was about to say goodbye to Matt. He said he had to catch the last bus home to get home in time to have dinner with his mom.
Matt wasn't going to let Chauncy carry all those groceries home on the bus. Matt offered to drive Chauncy home. He was going to finish this thing that he started.
Learning About How Chauncy Lived
Matt said, "I gave [Chauncy Jones Black] a ride home so that he didn't have to take the bus and when we got to his house I was truly humbled." Matt quickly realized that Chauncy wasn't exaggerating when he said that he didn't have any food at home.
Matt continued, “They had two lamps and nothing in their fridge. Nothing.” There was something else about Chauncy's house that particularly disturbed Matt.
Meeting Chauncy's Mom
When Matt got to Chauncy's house, he met Chauncy's mother, Barbara. Matt noticed how kind and gracious Barabra was. She was genuinely thankful for what Matt did for Chauncy. Barbara also seemed to be fragile and in pain.
Barbara had a condition that caused her to shake all the time. It made it difficult for her to get around on her own. Matt realized that there was more he could do to help this family.
Matt's Plan For Chauncy
Before Matt could do anything else, he had to help Chauncy and Barbara unpack the groceries. Chauncy looked so happy to be home and to receive all of the groceries. Matt said that "he looked like a kid again."
The Black's refrigerator was now full, and Matt said goodbye to Chauncy and Barbara. He gave each of them a hug and headed out. Chauncy didn't know it yet, but that wouldn't be the last time he saw Matt White.
Making A Real Difference
After Matt left Chauncy's house, he couldn't get the Black family out of his head. He started asking around about Chauncy and his mother, and what he learned really troubled him. Apparently, these two were barely getting by on Barbara's disability checks.
Chauncy hadn't bought new clothes in years. Matt realized that the groceries would only last for a week or so, and he wanted to make a real lasting difference in the lives of these two people.
Reaching Out To Others
Matt White lived a comfortable life. He had enough money to buy groceries and to afford his own place. But he didn't have enough to really make a lasting impact on Chauncy's life all by himself. Matt decided to use social media to reach out to others who could also help Chauncy.
He shared the story about his encounter with Chauncy on Facebook hoping to inspire others the way Chauncy had inspired him.
Putting The Plan Into Action
Matt White hoped that all of the attention his Facebook post was getting would turn into tangible donations for Chauncy and his mother. Matt attached a GoFundMe page to his Facebook post so that people could donate to Chauncy's cause. The page included information about Chauncy's size in clothing and shoes, but it also included a video interview with Black where he talks about his life story.
Viewers quickly fell in love with Chauncy and how motivated he is. All of that love translated into financial contributions to the GoFundMe page.
How They Would Use The MOney
The GoFundMe account was quickly picking up traffic. Donations kept coming in and Matt and Chauncy were getting very excited. They started coming up with a plan for what they were going to do with all of the money.
Matt wanted to raise enough money to get Chauncy a lawnmower so that he could earn some cash by cutting lawns in the summer. Then he would have some money when he started tenth grade in the fall.
Donations Were Pouring In
Matt's Facebook post kept picking up more traffic. It looked like this story was going to go viral. Total strangers started offering all kinds of things to Chauncy, including food, clothing, dental care, and even jobs. At this point, White’s Facebook post was shared 14,000 times and commented on 3,500 times.
White was starting to think that he should raise his goal on GoFundMe. Why stop at a lawnmower when he can get Chauncy a college education or even a new home?
A Grand Total Of:
So we already know that the post got a lot of likes and shares, but exactly how much money did they raise? Well, eventually, $340,000 poured in for Chauncy and Barbara. Barbara was ecstatic. As a single mother who raised Chauncy on disability checks, this money was life-changing for her.
Barbara said, "I did the best I could. The past few years, Chauncy has been taking care of me. He's a good boy. I couldn’t ask for better.”
The Beginning Of A Movement
Matt turned the GoFundMe page into a whole movement that he called "Chauncy's Chance." Pretty soon, all of the major news networks were talking about this story. People started recognizing Chauncy on the street.
Chauncy told People magazine, “It’s so awesome – my life has been completely changed. I can’t go anywhere now without people recognizing me. They go, 'Oh, my God, you’re Chauncy!’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ I’m very happy and very grateful to everybody.”
The Perils Of Fame
The news coverage didn't exactly turn Chauncy into a household name, but a lot of the people in his neighborhood now knew that he had a lot of money. Chauncy didn't exactly live in a safe area, and he and his mother really had to be careful.
Chauncy said, "My relatives were like when you get some money can you help me, asking for help in business and all that kind of stuff."
Chauncy Needed An Accountant
$340,000 is a lot of money to receive all at once. Matt and Chauncy wanted to make sure that the Black family could make that money last.
White said that he and the Black family were going to get in touch with a lawyer "so that they take the least amount of hit on taxes. So it's set-up in a trust and not at risk of anybody trying to come and claim it."
What Made Matt White Step Up
If you're wondering why Matt would take time out of his busy day to help another family, you're not alone. It seems like a stretch that one person would go above and beyond like this. It turns out that White is a practicing Christian and his faith is a big reason why he took it upon himself to help the Black family.
White thanked a higher power for stepping in and using him as an agent to help Chauncy and his mother. Matt said, "In every sense of the word, God has provided."
The World Could Use More Kindness
Chauncy Black got the opportunity of a lifetime. Matt said that instead of praising him, people should "look for Chauncys out there." There are so many ways you can make a difference in someone's life.
“The focus of this is not me and what I did, because I really didn’t do anything. I just captured a story and put it online, but our community, Memphis, picked up this family and put them on a platform,” White said.
Chauncy And His Mom Are Very Thankful
Even though Matt believes that everything that happened for Chauncy because of God, Barbara and Chauncy know that Matt put this plan into action.
"He's the nicest person I’ve ever met," Chauncy said. “Nobody ever cared more than he did.” “He’s family, that’s what he is,” Barbara added. “He’s in our lives forever now. He’s family.” Barbara and Chauncy are also grateful for everyone who donated their money and time to Chauncy's cause.
Matt Has Made A Habit Of Doing Good Deeds
Matt White has made a habit of doing nice things for other people. Charity work is kind of his thing. His whole Facebook page is full of evidence that he's dedicated his life to helping children in need. Even when he's not directly involved in a charity project, he still shares charity success stories on his page.
Matt has found a way to use social media for good. Chauncy Black isn't the first person White opened a GoFundMe page for.
He's Supposed To Be Doing This
A couple of years earlier, Matt set up a GoFundMe account for a blind bottle collector. Matt just ran into this man by chance in one of the rougher areas in Memphis. The man's name was JB Kibbler and he was digging through the trash for cans so he could feed his daughters and granddaughters.
The GoFundMe that Matt set up for JB Kibbler eventually brought in $36,000. That money made a huge difference for JB and his famliy.
A Better Memphis
According to a University of Memphis report, as of 2017, Memphis was home to the largest share of poor people out of all of the larger American cities. The poverty rates are even higher for the African American community.
Dr. Elena Delavega, a professor at the University of Memphis who produced that poverty report, said that the alarming poverty rates are due to a low minimum wage, transportation issues, and a number of other factors.
A Positive Role Model
Children bear the brunt of the city's issues with poverty. Delavega said, "What that means and I want you to think about it, is that when you see a child walking down the street, when you see a child, there’s a 50-50 chance […] that that child is living in poverty."
That statistic is extremely troubling, but people like Matt are out there trying to make a difference. There can be change if we all work together.
Why We Love The Internet
GoFundMe is a for-profit online fundraising tool. It's a way for people to quickly and efficiently raise money for important causes online. The thing is, this company does take a cut of the money. They take 5% of all donations, plus a 2.9% processing fee. The company has to make money somehow.
Even though GoFundMe is a for-profit endeavor, it can be a very useful tool for people who want to collect money from a large group of people. Matt White used GoFundMe, and look what he accomplished.
