Coffee shop raises $15k to help Indianapolis homeless man

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The homeowners of an area espresso store raised almost $15,000 to assist a homeless man who was residing on their property.

MOTW Espresso and Pastries opened its location on 82nd Road final month, after they seen James Tooley camped exterior.

“We seen he was residing there and he wasn’t bothering us, and once we truly requested him what he was doing there he was a genuinely good man very charismatic,” stated Normal Supervisor Shaz Soahil.

Tooley had been residing exterior within the components for six months. He was a upkeep man at a resort for almost a decade earlier than falling on laborious instances.

“I ended up shedding my job as a result of they downsized, they offered one of many lodges, that proper there left me in a state of affairs the place I didn’t have a spot to remain,” stated Tooley.

Retailer staff took to Instagram the place they set a objective to lift $5,000 to assist James, they ended up with virtually $15,000 since Dec. 11.

“We wakened shocked and amazed on the help,” Soahil stated.

MOTW Espresso and Pastries used the donations to purchase James garments, boots and a motorcycle so he can get round city. As a substitute of sleeping exterior, he’s staying at an area resort till he will get again on his ft.

“Actually makes me really feel very very motivated, grateful and appreciative for the folks that had the center and kindness to achieve out,” Tooley stated.

James and the workers at MOTW Espresso and Pastries assume this might be a lesson for individuals who look down upon those that are homeless and will not notice they’re going via a tricky time.

“If everybody was just a bit nicer to one another, you can provide that positivity and actually brighten any individual’s day,” Soahil stated.

Tooley stated he has an interview lined up with an organization that manufactures magnets.