Homeless man finds $17K, hailed for turning it in

SEATTLE (FOX 35 WOFL) - A homeless man in Washington State found a bag with $17,000 inside of it. Instead of keeping it though, he handed it over to a food bank.

Kevin Booth has been coming to Summer Food Bank for the last five years. Anita Miller, who is staffed there, says that he found the bag of money on their front doorstep. She sas that he just "leaned over, picked it up, looked in it and he knew it was money. He waited for our person who comes in at 7:30 in the morning, He waited for her, gave it to her and said somebody left this for you."

The volunteer staff at the food bank called the police. Police held the money for 90 days and since no one came to claim it, the food bank was allowed to keep it.

Miller says that all the money will be used to expand the building so that they can provide more services to the homeless and to families in need.

Booth was given a citizen certificate form the Sumner Police Department and gift cards to the local Fred Meyer, his favorite store.

Miller says Booth only stops by the food bank when he needs to, but she explained why he turned over the money. "It was a big decision for him because he could use it, but you do not take from somebody else. It would be stealing and he doesn't steal," she said.

Miller also said that the food bank will continue looking out for Kevin. She says it warms her heart that during this season of giving, Kevin showed he had a heart of gold and was thoughtful enough to give back to the good bank. "It makes you feel good to be able to help him. He helped us in a roundabout way. It's a wonderful feeling. Trust me, it opened up all of our eyes," Miller said.

This story was written in Orlando, Florida.