Kindness Serves Up Lifelong Friendship and Support

Quick Smiles:

• Air Force veteran Charlie Hicks found daily friendship at the Shrimp Basket.
• A loyal chef noticed Hicks’ absence, leading to a life-saving rescue.
• The restaurant now gives Hicks free gumbo for life and inspires community kindness.

For over ten years, 78-year-old Charlie Hicks made the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola his daily destination, enjoying every meal with gumbo and friendly conversation. His steadfast routine fostered a unique bond with chef Donell Stallworth, turning everyday chats into a lasting friendship.

“It’s convenient, everything I could ever want to eat is here, so I’m a regular,” Hicks shares.

When Hicks was unable to come in due to illness, the caring staff, including Denise Galloway, brought him meals to his door. Soon after, Stallworth noticed Hicks’ absence and, trusting his instincts, visited his home, discovering Hicks in need of urgent help after a fall.

“All of a sudden, I’m like, that’s been too long, something was just off,” Stallworth recalls.

With quick action and compassion, the team called 911 and ensured Hicks received the care he needed. After his hospital stay, the Shrimp Basket team made sure he was close by, with a new apartment just steps from his favorite spot and a walker signed by staff.

To celebrate kindness, the restaurant now offers free gumbo every Monday to encourage neighborly care. Hicks, in turn, will receive free gumbo for life, twice each day, as a token of appreciation for the inspiring bonds built around the table.

“If anybody knows somebody that reaches my age and lives alone, for God’s sake, check on them every once in a while,” Hicks urges.

“He means a lot to me,” Stallworth says. “You know, he’s Mr. Hicks, but he’s that uncle, that granddad, that best friend now. He’s all in one with me.”

This heartwarming story reminds us all of the enduring power of community and looking out for one another. Celebrate acts of kindness and cherish the friendships that make life richer.

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