Homeless Family Is Living In School Bus When Community Member Makes Offer That Feels Unreal

Aug 27, 2021 by apost team

Olivia, Eric and her three kids had fallen on hard times back in 2017 and were living in a converted school bus that was prone to breaking down. As they were driving through Greeley, Colorado in the dead of winter, their bus/home broke down once again. And so, as Thanksgiving and Christmas approached, Olivia’s family hunkered down behind a gas station, where they would have to live until they found an alternative.

Around the same time, Virginia Kinch and her family began to help out in the community. At first, the Kinch family started giving things away from their basement to single mothers who couldn’t afford to pay. A few months later, on Thanksgiving, the Kinches started handing out home-cooked meals to homeless individuals in Longmont, a nearby city. And that’s when the Kinches met Olivia, her husband and their three children — a family that looked much like their own.

When the Kinches returned home, they cried and decided that they needed to do more to help. And what this Greeley, Colorado family did is simply astounding. Rather than selling or renting out the second property that they owned, Virginia and her family decided to offer the old house to Olivia, Eric, and their children.

The next day they drove back to Longmont to ask if Olivia’s family was interested, and they were shocked. At first, Olivia thought that the offer was some “cruel joke,” but once reality dawned on her, she accepted the generous offer and moved in with her partner and three kids. And the Kinches’ kindness didn’t end there.

Along with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization, the Kinches collected donations for Olivia and her family’s new house, moving in furniture, stocking the pantry and filling a playroom with toys for the children.

“My mom and my dad raised me old-fashioned,” Zachary, an 11-year-old volunteer, said at the time. “Anywhere … if (people) need help, I’ll help.”

Virginia’s children even pitched in, telling their parents that they wanted her to return some of their Christmas gifts ahead of the holiday so that they could help out more, according to the Greeley Tribune. 

Olivia doesn’t have to pay rent or utilities; it’s free housing with no strings attached.

“We didn't think we were gonna have a Christmas at all,” Olivia  told Denver 7. “We would’ve been lucky if we had enough food or jobs at that point.”

“It helped restore my faith in humanity,” Olivia added.

Because of the Kinches and the community’s help, Olivia and her kids were able to have a normal Christmas at home with a decorated Christmas tree and everything. 

According to Denver 7, the arrangement is temporary. Once Olivia’s family is back on their feet, Virginia plans to let another homeless family move into the house.

Community members responded to the Kinches' good deeds in the story's comment section, thanking the family for their generosity.

“Good for both families.  It is heartening to see there are still people who care about others!!!!!” one reader wrote.

“What nice folks, good to see in this crazy world we live in,” another added in the comments.

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What do you think of the Kinches’ act of kindness? Have you ever heard of something similar? Would you give up your own property to a family in need? Let us know — and be sure to pass this uplifting story on.