“If you don’t have money or a job you can have a sandwich and a bottle of water for free.” That’s the note taped to a refrigerator window near the milk at Star Mart in East Texas, according to The Sun News, which covered the story when it first made news in September 2016.
Owner says he posted the offer after seeing locals struggle
Star Mart owner Frank Hemani, who described himself as a “people person,” said he put up the sign after seeing people in the area having a hard time. He said he hands out about six sandwiches a week.
Hemani recalled a woman pulling up with two kids in the backseat who were hungry and crying but had no money. He said he made them a pizza and added, “I have been blessed. I have never had to struggle.”
Inspired by a video, he kept the sign up
Hemani said he got the idea after watching a YouTube video of a grocery store making a similar offer. He said that when he looked into it, “there are a lot of people out there that will help other people.” He told The Sun News the sign had been up for about two months.
Small store, tight‑knit place
Star Mart sits on Farm Road 515 between Lake Fork and Emory. Hemani said he has lived in the community for 10 years, where “pretty much everybody knows everybody.” He owns three businesses in the area, including Minnow Bucket Marina near Quitman, The Sun News reported.
Note: The source material indicates the story dates to 2016.
