Off The Record

Man Shares A Picture Of Starving Homeless Man—Gets A Response That Blows Him Away

Published on April 12, 2023

Humanity as a whole has progressed to the point that most of us simply ignore a homeless person when we pass them on the street.

The number of people going without food, shelter, and medical care is in the thousands and rising every day.

The sight of a homeless person begging in the street is so commonplace in the United States that many of us choose to ignore them.

Someone walking down the street was so appalled by the sight of a homeless man that he felt forced to photograph him.

He published it on the web, but he was unprepared for the reception it would receive.

Something about the homeless man begging for money at an Indianapolis flea market piqued his interest.

He wrote online: “I had to give this poor guy some money. I NEVER give panhandlers money… this guy’s stomach was hitting his back and ribs popping out.”

A sight he couldn’t ignore

It is recommended that donations be sent to homeless shelters rather than individuals, but the generous bystander could not help himself.

He took a picture of the man and posted it online so that others might be moved to visit the spot where he was sitting and leave a donation.

Many people were moved to share the photo because they were worried about the homeless man in it.

Brother: “I’m so sick to my stomach right now”

A man named Danny, who hadn’t seen his brother Johnny in years, saw the post and immediately recognized the photo of his long-lost sibling.

He was shocked to see his brother in such a sorry condition.

“I’m so sick to my stomach right now. I can’t function to know someone is living this way and looks this bad.” Danny told TV station RTV6.

Rescued from the street

He tracked down Johnny, his brother, with the use of social media, and brought him back home to his family. According to his caregiver, Amy Renae Smith, he gradually came to see the wisdom in accepting assistance despite his initial resistance.

“He had two meals, a hit [sic] shower, a pair of clean clothes, a room to himself with quiet, a king size bed, tv w/ cable, fridge, a microwave, Pepsi, & leftovers. He is safe, and resting,” wrote Amy, according to RTV6.