The mind of a child is truly a wonderful thing. Upon finding out about homelessness, four-year-old Austin Perine made it his mission to help homeless people in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
It all started when Austin was watching a nature show on television in which a panda mother abandoned her baby. His father, T.J. Perine, explained to him not having a home or not having a mom or dad is called being homeless.
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After getting that explanation, Austin immediately asked his father if people could be homeless. After learning that people too can become homeless, he immediately told his parents he wanted to do something about it.
Instead of spending his allowance on toys, Austin, with help from his parents, uses that money to buy chicken sandwiches and soda for homeless people in Birmingham. Austin passes out the sandwiches and sodas while wearing a superhero cape and going by the name “President Austin.”
“That’s his idea of what the president is supposed to do,” explains T.J. “I was like, ‘Buddy, you have no idea, but hey, I’m going along with it.'”
Once a week, Austin passes out chicken sandwiches to the homeless population of Birmingham, telling them “Don’t forget to show love.”
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“It’s just the right thing to do,” Austin says of his efforts. “Feeding the homeless is the highlight of my life.”
However, passing out chicken sandwiches may not be the highlight of Austin’s life for very long. With help from his parents, Austin has formed a nonprofit organization called Show Love. The organization will help to provide food and toiletries for homeless people, while also helping them to find shelter.
T.J. has started a GoFundMe page for the foundation that has already raised nearly $40,000. Austin’s goal is to have one facility like that in every state.