Chef Saves Customer’s Life

Every day for the last ten years, Charlie Hicks has had the same standing order at the Shrimp Basket restaurant in Pensacola, Florida: a cup of gumbo, light on the rice, with no crackers. As the restaurant’s most frequent customer, 78-year-old Hicks has formed close friendships with the servers and cooks over the years. When Hicks didn’t show up to the Shrimp Basket for a few days in a row and stopped picking up his phone, chef Donell Stallworth began to worry. He showed up to Hicks’ apartment and found him collapsed on the floor with broken ribs, unable to move. Stallworth rushed Hicks to the hospital, where he recovered from his injuries. The Shrimp Basket team delivered gumbo to the hospital every day, and even helped find him a new apartment next door to the restaurant so they can be of better assistance should another medical issue arise. Hicks’ simple daily dining ritual ultimately saved his life, demonstrating the power of kindness and community. 

Image via CBS

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