Anonymous Saudi man and his charity street refrigerator

by Staff writer

A man living in the city of Hail, Saudi Arabia, came up with a brilliant idea to feed needy people in his neighborhood while sparing them the “shame” of begging, according to Gulf News.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, installed a refrigerator on the street in front of his house and invited neighbors to donate their extra food, so that hungry people could come and eat.

The idea gained international attention in 2014 after religious scholar Shaikh Mohammad Al Araifi praised the act of charity on his Twitter account with a picture of the fridge.

“I’ve always said the people of Hail are generous. A man puts a fridge outside his house for leftover food; an indirect act of charity for the needy,” he said, in a translation provided by the BBC.

“Oh how I love you, Hail!”

Twitter also applauded the simple gesture.

“That is exactly what we needed: A simple, but bright idea that goes a long way in helping people,” posted one user.

“I think the idea should be adopted and all large mosques in the country should place fridges to take and distribute food.”