Keith Lee cooked four times a day for his wife using food stamps.
That was before 17 million people started following him on TikTok for his restaurant tastings. On October 31, he posted something different from his usual videos: he shared that he overcame his social anxiety by preparing meals for families in need, thanks to the same assistance program that had previously supported him, SNAP.
Now, with more than 40 million Americans at risk because of cuts to that benefit, Lee made one specific request of brands: no gifts for him, just food for those who need it. “I refuse to accept money. I don’t want anything”, he said. In less than two days, DoorDash, Panda Express, Cracker Barrel, Kings Hawaiian, and a dozen other brands responded yes. Lee is already working on a warehouse to receive the donations and a meeting point where families can pick up whatever they need for the holidays.
