"I just gave away $2,500 to people that are in need," Ratlif told WSOC-TV. "It feels good. When you're blessed, you have to bless other people."
A retired police officer just parked, and gave $40 to a family waiting for the mobile food pantry 🙏🏽 #Kindness He says he plans to give out money to others across our area today.
— Gina Esposito (@GinaWSOC9) May 14, 2020
The cash was a huge surprise for Mariano Martinez, a father of three who drives for Uber and Lyft. He was one of hundreds of people waiting in line at a mobile food pantry where Ratlif handed out money.
"He touched our heart, to be honest with you," Martinez said. "He was telling us when people are down and out … we need people like him to bring our spirits back up … and he definitely did that today."
Ratliff told WSOC-TV he normally donates to those in need around the holidays.
“Everyone was really appreciative,” he said. “I’m not rich by any means, but to be able to give back or pass it forward is real important to me.”
There are 15,850 confirmed cases and 615 deaths from the coronavirus in North Carolina, according to The New York Times.
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