Justin Franks has a packed schedule. The Alabama A&M University student goes to school full-time, works as a manager at a local fast food joint as well as a desk assistant at a facility on campus.
In addition to this, Franks decided to do something about the financial struggle some of his classmates face when deciding between the cost of books and food.
Franks took $40 of his own money and purchased some basic items to stock in an old mailroom he converted into the pantry, from Capri Sun and Ramen noodles to household products like toilet paper and bottled water.
"I am please [sic] to announce that I have started a food pantry in foster complex for all students in residential life and housing," Franks posted on his Facebook wall in late September.
"The purpose of this initiative is ensure all student [sic] have food. Student [sic] that don't have money or food to eat will be able to get food free of charge . This is for all on campus residence of Alabama A&M University. #AAMU."
The initiative caught the attention of local news station WHNT.
"I noticed that there were some students that said they were going to bed hungry," Franks explained in an interview. "So, I thought about it and said, 'What can I give back to my community?'"
Word spread of Franks' good deed, and soon the food pantry went viral.
"It got a lot of response," Franks said. "It got shared 600-700 times and so it got around the internet." The shares and support was something he hadn't expected. "I didn't think it would get shared that much, but people really cared about our students and Alabama A&M University."
Alumni, faculty and local community groups wanted to help out, so they donated more food like granola, crackers, as well as personal hygiene items.
So far, 100 students no longer have to make a choice between school expenses and food, thanks to Franks.
"To me, it just makes me feel like I'm blessing someone," he said. "I'm a religious person and I feel like I can bless a student. Some nights, students will be like 'Man, I really appreciate this because I didn't have anything to eat.'"