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Georgia College Student Attempt To Order For Homeless Man Denied

One Georgia College student was in complete disbelief when her attempt to order food for a homeless man in Atlanta was denied. Jo Ortega is a senior at Georgia State…

Georgia College Student Attempt to Order Food for Homeless Denied

a fast-food employee gives a customer her order

Photodisc / Getty Images

One Georgia College student was in complete disbelief when her attempt to order food for a homeless man in Atlanta was denied.

Jo Ortega is a senior at Georgia State University in Atlanta.  She recently tried to order a meal for a homeless man at Popeyes, but was denied by the manager.  Not only did they refuse to let her order for the man, but they also called the police.

Ortega recorded the encounter and posted it on TikTok.  The video has received over 5.3 million views, along with 29.2 thousand comments and 661K likes.

Picking Up An Order

According to a news story on Fox 5 Atlanta, Ortega was at the fast-food restaurant picking up a DoorDash order.  She noticed the man and decided to order him a two-piece meal.  The woman at the window was quick to tell her she couldn't.  Another employee also joined in when Ortega asked why.  The response? "Ma'am, you can't do it."

Police Arrive

Shortly afterward, the police showed up.  Ortega thought she might get arrested.  Apparently, Atlanta police were called about a woman refusing to leave the drive-through.  Because she'd broken no laws, the police didn't take any action... other than thanking her for what she was trying to do.

Eventually the general manager was contacted and wound up giving Ortega and the man anything they wanted that night, free of charge.

Helping the Homeless

As a result of this incident, Ortega has started a fundraiser to help the man, who's name is Jazz, find permanent housing.

At the end of it all, Ortega says, "In all of this, I believe that people deserve to be treated like people."

CodyEditor
“Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.