BROOKFIELD, Pa. – A northern Pennsylvania man who said he only wanted to “pay it forward” ran into some trouble for his kindness Monday morning.

Robert Alberson, 50, said he spent the previous three days at Sparkle Market, an independent grocery store chain in Pennsylvania, randomly paying for customers’ groceries, until he was asked to leave by a store manager. He estimates he spent about $3,000.

Alberson said he recently settled his late parents’ estate and wanted to do something good for other people.

“You have to give it away to get it back. And helping others, it’s a good feeling. I know what it’s like to be without. I’ve been homeless and living on the streets in Connecticut and in Florida. I wanted to do something good for someone who could use some help,” he said.

Store assistant manager Greg Thompson said he credits Alberson for wanting to help others, but said he had to ask him to leave because some of the store’s older customers were frightened.

“I mean, who does that? Just walks up and gives money away? People are frightened, especially older people who think he wants something from them. It’s sad but in this world, people are suspicious first. But please, I really want to commend what he’s doing. I think it’s wonderful. I welcome him back in the store anytime, but I’d ask him to let us know what he’s doing first,” Thompson said.

“I get the Random Acts of Kindness thing. I do. And I don’t doubt that he did spend $3,000, which is very generous,” he added. “I feel bad if he thought I was being mean. I wasn’t,” he said.

Brookfield, Pennsylvania patrolman Ronnie Mann said he was asked to check on Alberson, who was very upset at being asked to leave the store. Alberson wasn’t charged with anything. Mann said he explained to Alberson it would have been better if he had let store managers in on his good intent. 

Instead, Alberson said he stood at the end of the checkout lane, near the cashier and asked customers if they would be offended if he paid for their groceries. “And they were not. They hugged me. They thanked me.”

Scarmack writes for The Sharon, Pennsylvania Herald.