Stranger's Cash Feeds 356 Free McDonald's Meals in Haverhill

A man walked into a McDonald's in Haverhill, Massachusetts, handed the cashier several thousand dollars in cash, and delivered one simple request: keep feeding customers until the money runs out. Then he disappeared without leaving his name.

Christine Yee, who runs the restaurant with her father David, wasn't immediately convinced. "I was actually skeptical at first and became concerned the money might be counterfeit," she told local news.

The Haverhill Police Department confirmed the bills were real. Once Christine knew the gift was legitimate, she decided to make it count.

Instead of quietly spending the cash, Christine planned "A Random Act of Kindness Day." On a Wednesday afternoon between 1:30 and 5 p.m., every customer at the counter ate free.

She even checked with McDonald's corporate headquarters. "No one had ever heard of anything quite so generous," Christine said. Drive-through customers sometimes pay for the car behind them, but nothing like this.

For the event, Christine brought in Grimace and printed cards with hearts to hand out with each meal. The cards explained that an anonymous neighbor had paid for their food and asked them to pay it forward in their own way.

Sunny's Take

Christine worried people might take advantage. They didn't. Customers ordered normally, treating the gift with respect.

By day's end, 356 meals had been served. The Yees added their own contribution, donating to Ronald McDonald House charities.

The mystery donor never revealed himself or his reasons. But his simple act of walking in with cash and walking out created something bigger than free burgers.

"Love was felt throughout the Haverhill community," Christine said, "and every customer was asked to pay it forward in their own special way." Three hundred fifty-six people left that McDonald's carrying more than a meal.