In 2013, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, an elderly man named Arnold Abbott made national headlines for his tireless work feeding the homeless. Arnold, a World War II veteran and retired jewelry salesman, had founded the nonprofit Love Thy Neighbor Fund in honor of his late wife, Maureen, who shared his passion for helping those in need.
Every week, Arnold and a group of volunteers prepared home-cooked meals and served them to the homeless on the beach. Despite his age—he was 90 at the time—Arnold personally served food and offered kind words to everyone he met. However, Fort Lauderdale passed an ordinance that restricted public food-sharing, and Arnold’s work came under fire.
In a controversial turn, Arnold was arrested multiple times for continuing to serve meals, but he refused to stop. “I am my brother’s keeper,” he famously said, standing firm in his belief that no law should prevent helping those in need. His defiance sparked a national debate about homelessness and inspired countless people to support his cause.
Arnold continued his mission until his death in 2019 at the age of 94. His legacy lives on, and his story remains a powerful reminder of how one person’s compassion can challenge injustice and ignite change.
