18-year-old Phil Powell is not your average teenager. While working his shift as a Walmart greeter in Lithia Springs, Georgia, he watched as a customer shopped in the store without shoes on his feet. As the man began to exit the store, Powell took off his own shoes and gave them to the homeless man without giving any reason as to why. An onlooking Walmart shopper, Myrna Hines watched the exchange and felt compelled to take a photo of Powell for his heartwarming act of kindness.

When Powell asked “Why?” Hines stated, “Because you deserve recognition for what you just did. You did something awesome.” He responded and said “I have more shoes than I need.” The photo and caption explaining Powell’s gesture was shared on Hines’ Facebook page and quickly shared across the web with affirmations of love and kindness sent Powell’s way.

“I was just happy to give back,” Powell, 18, told InsideEdition.com. “When I had no shoes on — I just had pink socks — I was happy just dancing around.”

Phil Powell resonated with the homeless man because not long ago, he suffered the same hardships. Until the age of 16, Powell and his mother were homeless and found themselves shuffling from homes to hotels to stay together. He explained that he knows how hard it can be to be without food, money, or a home but, now that he has the means to share, he wanted to pass on what he could to someone else in need. The pink Converse sneakers that Powell gave away were also sentimental in value for they were customized in honor of Powell’s grandmother who was battling breast cancer. Hearing of what her son had done, Powell’s mother, Brenda Patterson told Inside Edition, “As a mother, it feels so good”…”Growing up, you wonder if they got the message.”

Powell definitely did get the message and his actions even inspired his store manager, Mike Kastensmidt. Once he heard of his employee’s good deed, he stated that it “made his heart tingle” and he offered Powell the opportunity to take home any pair of shoes in the store home, free of charge. Kastensmidt was surprised to see Phil pick out a pair of $13 slip-ons instead of a pricier option.

Powell commented and said, “That’s all I needed.” He plans to enter the Navy after he graduates high school.

Phil’s actions are incredibly inspiring and can teach us all about the power of paying it forward. Share some love to Phil in the comments and if you feel compelled to do so, share some love or support with someone you don’t know this week.

Watch Phil’s story from Fox 5 Atlanta below:

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Phil Powell

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