Alabama Chick-fil-A owner’s act of kindness caught on camera becomes inspiration to thousands

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January 8, 2015

HOOVER, Ala. — When Andrea Stoker carried her young son into a Birmingham Chick-fil-A on Tuesday to pass the time during their dog’s vet appointment next door, she had no idea she’d end up turning the store’s owner into a viral Internet star for all the right reasons.

But that’s exactly what happened after she posted the following image and message on Chick-fil-A’s Facebook page.

I’m a Chick-fil-A fan and have been for years. I trust the food for my son and support companies that are founded on Christian beliefs.

What I saw today just confirms why this chain is so successful — God blesses His people.

My son and I were at the location on Highway 280 in Birmingham, AL when a man came in to escape the 35 degree temps and strong winds with all of his earthly possessions strapped to his back.

Most businesses would force him out, but I watched as the manager walked up to him and asked if he could do anything for him. Before the man could even answer, the manager asked if he had a pair of gloves and walked to the table at which he’d been sitting and picked up his own. As he handed the man his gloves, he asked another employee to get him something to eat.

It was wonderful to see your employees being the hands and feet of Jesus, and that my son was able to witness it all. Thank you for putting your money where your mouth is.

As the post spread on Facebook, more and more stories began to come out about the store’s owner, Mark Meadows, who apparently has an extensive history of doing simple acts of kindness for complete strangers.

One commenter noted that “this is also the same owner who, while drivers were stuck on 280 during the ice storm in January, fed an many stranded motorists as possible. Mark is truly an amazing person!”

A waitress at another local restaurant had a great Mark Meadows story to share as well.

“He (ate) at my work ((Applebee’s cullman)) not long ago, left me a $35 tip and paid for the tables bill beside me,” she wrote. “Said he did it once a month an leaves them a Chick-fil-A card in place of their bill. Amazing man!”

And another commenter shared a story that illustrates the culture of service that has been cultivated by Chick-fil-A restaurants all over the Birmingham area and around the country.

“I was in the CFA on Hwy 31 in Hoover several months ago and saw something similar,” she wrote. “It was pouring rain, and they had let a homeless man stay most of the day and given him food and had also gotten him some clothes from Burlington Coat Factory. So wonderful to see the love of Christ put into action to meet someone’s needs. LOVE Chick-Fil-A!!!!!”

After all of this, all we can really think to say is…