A homeless TikTok user shares how he cooks meals

TikTok has become a source of entertainment for many during lockdown. From recipe ideas to dance challenges and even house cleaning hacks, the app has it all! But, some users use the platform to highlight challenges people face on a daily basis and one homeless user has made waves after showing viewers how he makes food.

The viral video, which was posted last week, sees user @randomhomelessguy2 gain more than 250,000 followers and 2.3-million likes on his page with just two videos posted. In the videos, the teenager explains the process of preparing a meal without a kitchen, stove, or fridge.

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In the first video, the teenager prepares a meal at his local park. The park is an important venue for the teen as it has both a water fountain and several life-saving outlets. The teenager explains that he bought a hotplate at a Walmart for $15, which he plugs into a public electric outlet. He boils water in a pot with water from the water fountain and creates a dish made up of pasta, pasta sauce, and hot dogs.

In the second video, the teenager visits his local Walmart with a budget of $1.25. He buys a loaf of sourdough bread and heads back to the park where he boils up some old packets of ramen noodles, loading it into half of his loaf of bread. The teen explains that the second half went to his mother.

As the videos go viral, numerous people around the world have asked the homeless man to create a GoFundMe, CashApp, or Venmo account so that they can donate some money to go towards his daily food budget.

However, the user has denied all of these requests, saying that he appreciates everyone's kind words and offers of support but says "I don't want your money."

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Meanwhile, users on the app have called the man out on his "homeless" claim, citing his cellphone as evidence. However, the man explains that homeless and deviceless are not the same thing and that some homeless shelters and programs even hand out phones to keep homeless people connected. As noted by the Homeless Children's Education Fund, cellphones are a connection to resources, help, and an avenue out of homelessness. Without a cellphone, it can be impossible for a homeless person to find job opportunities, seek medical help, or find necessary resources to survive.

@randomhomelessguy2 explains that he has had his cellphone before he found himself homeless and is grateful that his videos are starting conversations around homeless people while shining a light on the struggles they face daily.

Image courtesy: TikTok