Tyler Perry surprised elderly shoppers Wednesday morning after paying for their groceries at 74 stores in Atlanta and New Orleans during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to People, the actor, filmmaker and comedian paid for the groceries of all elderly shoppers at 44 Kroger stores in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as 29 Winn Dixie stores in New Orleans during the hour reserved for older customers.
Many grocery stores have introduce dedicated hours to allow seniors and those with disabilities to shop as a response to the recent spike in purchasing created by consumers worried about the effects of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
“He wanted to do something special to provide immediate relief for some of the most vulnerable in the two cities he considers home,” a source told the outlet.
A corporate affairs manager for Kroger thanked Perry for “his kindness and generosity during this unprecedented pandemic.”
“Senior and higher-risk Kroger shoppers in metro Atlanta did receive a nice surprise at the register this morning when they learned Tyler Perry had paid their grocery tab in full,” Felix B. Turner, a Kroger corporate affairs manager, told 11Alive.
Turner continued, “We would like to join our customers in thanking Mr. Perry for his kindness and generosity during this unprecedented pandemic. It was truly a pleasure to see our customers fill with joy and gratitude as the news spread throughout 44 stores across metro Atlanta.”
Some of the customers took to Twitter to thank the A Madea Family Funeral actor after finding out Perry paid for their groceries.
Perry has been giving back in generous ways since the global pandemic started.
Earlier this month, the media mogul gave a $21,000 tip to the workers at a Houston restaurant when he went to pick up his takeout order.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
—With a file from Global News’ Kevin Nielsen