One couple decided to pay it forward in a big way this Thanksgiving when they left a $500,000 check in a Salvation Army donation kettle outside a Cub Foods grocery store in Rosemount, Minnesota, on Saturday.
The couple, who prefers to remain anonymous, told The Salvation Army they made the record donation "in hopes of encouraging others to give as generously as they can," according to a release from the organization. It is the largest donation the Twin Cities Salvation Army has ever received; previously, the largest single gift was $25,000.
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The check cleared successfully, spokeswoman Julie Borgen confirmed to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The donation was also made to honor one of their fathers, who served in World War I and was grateful for the "Salvation Army Donut lassies" who served soldiers free coffee and donuts.
The couple said they weren't always so fortunate, though, and used to depend on food discarded in grocery store dumpsters.
"You get to a point in life where it’s time to take care of others," the couple told The Salvation Army.
The donation came as a surprise to the charitable organization. “We are simply stunned and honored to have received such a generous gift," said Major Jeff Strickler, Salvation Army's Twin Cities commander.