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.