88-Year-Old Grocer Receives $1.7 Million from Viral Fundraising Effort

Mon Dec 08 2025 23:30:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old grocery worker from Michigan, has received $1.7 million thanks to the efforts of a young social media influencer, Sam Weidenhofer, highlighting the challenges faced by seniors, especially veterans.

In a heartwarming culmination of kindness and community support, Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old grocery worker from Brighton, Michigan, has been awarded a check for $1.7 million. This windfall followed a viral fundraising campaign initiated by Australian influencer Sam Weidenhofer, who sought to aid Bambas after hearing his story of financial struggles. Over 15,000 donors contributed, showcasing the power of social media in bringing people together for a noble cause. Though Bambas plans to retire from his cashier position soon, he remains hopeful about the future and intends to spend time with family and pursue his love for golf.

BRIGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Ed Bambas will soon ring up his last can of corn.

The 88-year-old Michigan grocery worker was handed an oversized check for $1.7 million Friday, the result of a remarkable fundraising campaign by a young Australian man with an extraordinary following on social media.

“No, no,” Bambas said, wiping tears and sniffles in front of reporters. “Thank you. Oh, my God.”

Sam Weidenhofer, 22, is using his powerful platforms to spread kindness — and money — on a visit to the United States.

He met Bambas at a Meijer store in Brighton about two weeks ago and recorded a TikTok video for his 7.7 million followers in which Bambas explained why he’s still working as he approaches 90, following the death of his wife, Joan, after a chronic illness in 2018.

“I don’t have enough income,” Bambas said in the video.

Weidenhofer then launched an online GoFundMe drive, urging people to help Bambas.

“His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” said Weidenhofer, who has over 10 million followers on social media.

The response was dizzying: More than 15,000 people have pitched in with donations ranging from $10 to $10,000.

“It means a terrible burden,” Bambas joked. “I have to find everybody and say, ‘thank you.’”

Bambas began working at Meijer at age 82. “I talk to everybody that came through my cashier line because it helped me not become despondent on her loss. ... I gave them a piece of my life story,” he reflected on his time at the store.

Weidenhofer noted that Bambas will be able to clear $225,000 in debt with the windfall. How he spends the rest is completely up to him. “It feels like a dream,” Weidenhofer expressed.

Bambas hopes to travel and return to golf, though he’s not quitting his job yet. “I’ll probably work another month or two and shut things down,” he said.