What to Know
- Four-year-old Austin Perine started his mission by taking sandwiches to people who lived on the streets of Birmingham, his hometown.
- He captured the attention of airlines and restaurants, soon expanding his mission to serve those in need across the country.
- On Sunday, Austin and his family traveled to Camillus House in Miami to help the homeless.
Four-year-old Austin Perine first learned what homelessness was about seven months ago.
“What is homeless anyways?” he asked his father, T.J. Perine.
“Homeless is when you don’t have a mom or dad to help you out. And it’s when you don’t have a house,” his father explained.
So, Austin decided to do something about it. He began taking chicken sandwiches to people who lived on the streets of his hometown of Birmingham, capturing the attention of airlines and restaurant chains. Now, he and his family travel around the country, making good on Austin’s promise to show love by serving food to those who struggle to provide for themselves.
“The first time I was apprehensive because it’s my baby boy. He’s four,” T.J. Perine said. “And I’m taking him out to the streets, exposing him to everyone.”
But T.J.’s anxiousness disintegrated when he saw his son interact with those in need.
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“One of the guys was like ‘What’s up, little man. Giving him a high five and all this stuff. And I’m like, ‘okay.’”
On Sunday, Austin took his nationwide mission to South Florida, at the Camillus House in Miami.
“This little kid...just walking up to people giving them burgers and stuff. And I was homeless for a long time so it was like, I was like really moved by that,” said Bryan Person. “And to see him here at Camillus house...I loved that. I just wanted to give him a hug, you know?”
Austin’s family have made his mission into a priority, making major life changes to continue supporting it.
“I had a six-figure job that I was very happy with, but I think this is a little bit more purpose-filled,” T.J. Perine said.
For Austin, it’s all about showing love.
“When I feed the homeless people they make me feel great,” he said.
Austin’s next stops include Seattle, Dallas and San Francisco.
