Shoals group tips big to make a difference during coronavirus hardship

Shoals group tips big to make a difference during coronavirus hardship

The pandemic has taken a toll on businesses across the country - and alabama is no different.

The department of labor says the restaurant industry is one of the hardest hit.

Now - one group in the shoals is surprising waiters and waitresses by tipping big!

Waay 31's breken terry shares how they're helping.

Servers i've talked with told me even a twenty dollar tip can make a big difference in their shift but imagine being tipped hundreds!

That's what one group here in the shoals is doing.

<lentz- they were so kind while i was waiting on them.

This is the exact moment waitress and university of north alabama student jordyn lentz got a surprise from the group tipping the shoals.

Lentz- they tipped me 800 dollars and i was so shocked.

Lentz isn't the only one the group is tipping so far.

They've given out more than $2,000 in tips so far to five different servers.

Lentz- i started tearing up i was just so shocked ya know.

Stephanie stern created the group it now has more than 1,000 members.

She said with everything going on in the world it's nice to spread some joy.

Stern- it is a major blessing.

I could not do this by myself at all.

It's the people that donate the money.

Stern said the week leading up to the night they deliver the tip - they always pray for the person recieving the money.

Lentz told me that part meant the most because for the past year she's been in and out of the doctors office because of a mass on her brain.

Lentz- you don't know what's going on in peoples lives and that meant so much to me that's what really got me we need more of that right now we need each other.

Look live tag: lentz told me she's had nothing but good news about the mass on her brain.

It's just something her docotors are having to watch.

She said the 800 dollars she was tipped went to her bills and made a huge difference in her life.

She's now a part of the group and gives to tip the next person.

In florence bt waay31.

There is also a tipping lawrence county facebook page.

All of the pages are open to the public with