A man from Whitehall is going viral on TikTok and making national news after starting a food pantry outside his home.
A.J. Owen’s videos are racking up hundreds of thousands of views as he works to help neighbors struggling with rising prices and uncertainty around SNAP benefits.
He tells KDKA Radio it all started with just $150 and a trip to Aldi.
“About 70 percent of that was gone within a 24-hour period and that was even before benefits were cut and so, immediately, I knew that there was going to be a need and my community stepped up,” said Owen.
one of his most viral moments came when an anonymous donor left an envelope full of cash after the pantry behind Caste Village Shopping Center was completely wiped out.
There wasn’t a name on the envelope, just cash and a note that read, “May God prosper and bless your food pantry.”
Since then, Owen has received thousands of dollars in donations, including one from Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive end Yahya Black.
Owen tells KDKA Radio they won’t be slowing down anytime soon, with all of the donated money going toward replenishing their pantry.
If you want to donate, you can bring non-perishable food or cash. Just go behind Caste Village and you'll see the totes! Lantern Hill Drive near the corner of Caste Drive.