Donations Pouring in for Elderly Man Who Called 911 for Food

Two days after an elderly man dialed 911 for food because he was hungry and couldn't move, his kitchen cabinets are overflowing with donations.

A 911 operator came to Clarence Blackmon's rescue this week after he called for help. The 81-year-old, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, had just returned home to an empty refrigerator after spending several months in the hospital, and he said he had no one else to turn to. The operator arrived with a box of groceries, and she made him a few ham sandwiches.


Several news outlets, including ABC News, wrote about the good deed, and food donations are pouring in, Blackmon said.

"They keep bringing it in by the armloads," he told ABC News. "My cupboards are full. I've never had such prosperity."

He has so much food, that he's called a food bank to share it with others.

"Simply, these are wonderful gifts," he said. "If I tried to consume all that's in my kitchen right now, what's in my cupboards, it would take me over a year!"

911 operator Marilyn Hinson told ABC affiliate WTVD that she wanted to help Blackmon because she understood his predicament.

"He was hungry," Hinson said. "I've been hungry. A lot of people can't say that, but I can, and I can't stand for anyone to be hungry."