Prineville man uses stimulus money to pay for others’ groceries
Larry Bellah says he's still working, so he paid it forward - others did, too
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- While many Central Oregonians continue to be laid off due to COVID-19, Larry Bellah has been fortunate.
Bellah continues to work as a full-time welder in Prineville. So when he got his stimulus paycheck, he decided to give back to the community.
Bellah and his daughter took $200 and stood in front of the Erickson's Thriftway in Prineville, offering people $20 to help pay for their groceries.
But the initial response from customers was not what Bellah expected.
"Most of them gave money to us," he said.
Money that they wanted Bellah to pay forward as well.
Bellah started with $200 and ended up with about $400.
"People wouldn't take our money, so we went inside and stood by the cash registers and bought everyone's groceries until we were gone."
He said he was able to buy groceries for about seven people.
And why did he bring his daughter along?
"Just (to) show her that helping people is a good thing," he said.
Thanks, Larry! Not only are you are doing a great service for your community; you are educating your daughter as effectively as possible in these times! PAY IT FORWARD!!
Very cool, and it is a great lesson that will stick with your daughter
for many years…
It’s great to see acts of kindness like this, and it was so nice to hear that people were responding by chipping in even more. That young lady has a wonderful role model. Well done, everybody!
Awesome! You’re a good man Larry
What a nice thing and a great example of selflessness for your daughter! If only all kids could have parents like this.
Great move Larry!!
But if he’s still working why did he get a stimulus check?
Shouldn’t unemployment due to the closure of a businesses due to COVID_19 be the qualifying event to receive a stimulus check ?
No, everyone in the country pretty much is getting a stimulus check.
Thanks for the clarity on that one.I’ve been too busy working to investigate the stimulus check thing. Got a link for that?
Here’s one of many good roundups-Q&As https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/coronavirus-stimulus-checks-up-to-1200-see-if-you-meet-the-payment-requirements/
I suggest you use the only accurate verifiable information available.
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
The media can’t be trusted to verify the reporting. But you already knew all of this Wiseguy!
“Everyone in the country pretty much is getting a stimulus check”
Barney, you really need to retire or just go away. That statement is not true and you literally have no idea what you’re talking about. Jesus Christ, you can’t even run the comment board on a horrible local news website. Go away already
Every taxpayer sure is, and for many dependents as well. We’ve reported that for weeks! I’m here for good!
Two thumbs up 👍 for your gracious gesture and being a role model for your daughter.
I want to say a big Thanks to Mr. Bellah and his daughter. Everyday I ask myself what the heck happened to America. It once was about neighbors helping neighbors just as these two have done. Then it became a greedy, all about me society. Neighbors helping neighbors became neighbors helping themselves to neighbors property. No respect for themselves or others. Old school was you learned to work and take care of yourself and your family. And when to no fault of your own you were struggling, friends, family and your neighbors were there for you. Because they knew you would be there for them. So Thank You again. One person, then two, and on and on until Americans and be proud to be Americans again.
This makes my heart feel warm! Way to go, Larry & family
(BTW, If I was in the position to do what Larry did, I’d focus on stores like Grocery Outlet or Dollar Tree. Just sayin)
Nice story, I guess BUT this guy lives in Prineville and has a young child and really should be opening a savings account for his kid to pay for her future. He’s acting like he just won the Powerball and has cash to give away like it does not matter.
You’re an idiot. But then, you already knew that. 💩
And maybe you shouldn’t make stupid, unwarranted comments or suggestions about
people you know absolutely nothing about. You have no idea what this guys financial situation is…
He could have plenty of cash, investments, as well as a very nice investment portfolio
for his daughters future. But the main thing is, it’s none of your damn business
what him or anyone else does with THEIR money.
-Some people actually think about others before they think about themselves, and they try to do nice things for others, instead of spending their life being bitter, miserable,
and criticizing others…