A big-hearted couple who once lived off food discarded from grocery stores have given the Salvation Army in Minnesota half a million reasons to feel happy this Christmas.
They dropped a check for $500,000 into one of the organization's red kettles in Rosemount on Saturday, according to reports.
The duo behind the extraordinary cash boost are known to the Salvation Army but want to remain anonymous, reports KTLA.
They used to live off food thrown away by stores, and one of their fathers was forever grateful for the donuts and coffee supplied by the organization while he fought in the First World War, reports Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
"You get to a point in life where it's time to take care of others, the way you were taken care of," they told the organization, reports the Associated Press.
The previous state record for donations to the Salvation Army was $25,000, according to the Duluth News Tribune.
Last year, the Salvation Army's 124th Red Kettle Campaign raised more than $144 million, according to the organization's website, which was used to provide food, shelter and social services to nearly 30 million Americans in need.
Salvation Army commander Maj. Jeff Strickler said the gift was a "true blessing," reports the Star-Tribune.
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