Gas Station Uses TikTok to Tackle Homelessness

FRESNO, Calif.—Two California gas station managers have become social media stars for their TikTok videos introducing local homeless people to the world. In fact, their videos have become so popular that the pair now collect donations of clothing and money for the people they feature, CBS News reports.

Cousins Akram Mohsin and Mohsin Alaqwari post TikToks featuring homeless customers who visit the Tower Gas and Mini Mart in Fresno. The videos have more than 39 million views and have turned the gas station managers into social media darlings for their kind acts toward a population that is frequently overlooked.

"It was just all fun and games at first," said Mohsin. "Eventually, the [TikTok] followers wanted to get to know everybody else a little better."

The clips show the individuals' talents, tribulations and, most importantly, their humanity.

In one video, Mohsin gives a man named Chris $40 to spend in the store. His face lit up, and a later clip shows him with various foods on the counter. "I'm gonna be full, got all my nutrients," Chris said happily. 

"People come in here and say how much they appreciate us, but we just say we're doing our best, and we're just trying to give back to the community," Mohsin said.

People all over the world have sent packages and money so that Mohsin and Alaqwari's homeless visitors can purchase food and necessities. Viewers have even developed fan favorites, such as Phil, a man who has been down on his luck for eight years. Viewers have sent him clothes, blankets and special notes. 

"Phil's a genuine guy who just wants to help. Every time he's here, he's just like, ‘oh, can I help you guys out with something, take out some trash,’" Alaqwari said. "He just wants to talk and hang out."

Mohsin had said he began thinking about these peoples' lives and how they lived before becoming homeless after Chris helped him with his college physics assignment, breaking down some of the complex mathematical concepts.