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Group Of Friends Cover $40K Worth Of Groceries For Atlanta Shoppers Ahead Of Thanksgiving

Ten entrepreneurs convened to take over a Kroger for the generous gesture.

Shoppers at an Atlanta grocery store got a special Thanksgiving surprise when they were treated to free groceries by a group of entrepreneurs who took over the cash registers and paid for nearly $40,000 worth of goods.

For two hours on November 22, ten generous business owners took the helm of all 12 cash registers at a Kroger on Wesley Chapel in Decatur and assisted customers who were checking out.

Jason Lobdell, a celebrity fitness trainer/gym owner, and clothing line owner told WWL-TV that the original plan was to hand out gift cards to everyone, but instead decided to cover everyone's groceries by manning the cash registers. 

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Lobdell along with friends Alix Burton, who owns a trucking and transportation company; Brad and Tronda Giles, co-founders of a home healthcare agency; Marcus and Turquoise Barney, co-owners of a financial literacy enterprise; Nehemiah and Salvina Davis, who own an event spaces company; Alphonso and Mary Dreher, who have a business coaching, marketing, and branding agency; Jonathon Gooch, who owns a home healthcare agency, and one other entrepreneur, who owns a trucking company, said they initially planned to spend $30,000, but later decided to spend an additional $10,000.

“I’m still feeling on cloud nine after seeing those faces and getting all those hugs from the grannies and whipping those tears,” Lobdell told the news station. Lobdell said that he comes from modest means and felt Thanksgiving was the perfect time to give thanks.

“We understand the true meaning of giving back and pouring back into the community,” Lobdell told WWL-TV. “It was just a good feeling.”

Tronda Giles added: "It was a beautiful thing that a group of entrepreneur friends are giving back as a complete unit to make a difference in the lives of those in need."

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