SPOKANE, WA (KHQ) Sergio De Leon knows what it’s like to need help.

The owner of a well-known Spokane, Washington Mexican deli and grocery market grew up going to food banks with his father in Texas.

“Everybody goes through hard times,” he says. “I was there myself.”

When someone stole from him Monday night, De Leon invited the shoplifter to come back.

“I kind of wanted to show this individual that there are places out there where he can go for help,” De Leon says. “I think we can help him out also.”

De Leon posted the security footage on Facebook and wrote the following post:

“I see you took milk, tamales and other groceries, which makes me think you have a family. If you are in need, please come and see me and I will see that your family gets these groceries without you getting in trouble.”

“We had so many comments this morning on our Facebook page,” said De Leon. “But I don’t want to get any credit. I know this individual is in need and we want to help him out somehow.”