KITCHENER — A local grocer is being lauded on social media after giving away groceries to a man who was stealing from his store.

Mike Williamson, owner of Central Fresh Market in the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo, wasn’t looking for publicity for himself, according to his son Josh.

However his heartfelt gesture on Monday garnered hundreds of likes and shares on social media, thanks to customers who witnessed the act.

“Just witnessed a man caught stealing at our local grocery,” reads a tweet posted Monday evening. “Watched the owner confront him and pull fruits & vegetables out of his pack. Then heard the owner say, ‘we will feed you.’ 5 minutes later saw the man walking thru the parking lot with a bag full of groceries.”

According to Josh Williamson, a middle-aged man was going around the store putting mainly produce in a knapsack. Williamson’s father found broccoli among the items when he confronted him on his way out.

“You could tell he was just trying to feed himself,” Williamson said. “We always prefer people to come in and ask for help rather than steal, but when you catch people stealing just to eat it’s a much different story.”

Williamson’s father grabbed the man a submarine sandwich and pop, some chips and a bunch of vegetables in a bag, and sent him on his way.

Central Fresh Market makes regular food bank donations and is noticing an increase in food insecurity, and ultimately hopes to highlight the issue in the community as a result of the publicity.

“So we’re really trying to push on that and drive the awareness that a little bit really means a lot to some people,” Williamson said.

Central Fresh Market is also planning a meat giveaway and a matching donation fundraiser to assist those in need in the weeks ahead.

The challenge is getting items in the hands of the right people.

“That’s the hardest parts sometimes,” Williamson said. “People are embarrassed and it’s a touchy subject.”