#BailOutHumans: Billionaire Bill Pulte Sparks Social Media Movement To Give Money To Strangers In Need
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- People around the Tri-State Area are in need of money and there's a new social media movement looking to solve the financial hole families are dealing with due to the spread of coronavirus.
Thousands of people are posting on Twitter with the #BailOutHumans hashtag. The movement was started by billionaire Bill Pulte to assist people who need financial support, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported Wednesday.
"Basically I had the idea to give away money on the internet," said Pulte. "Everybody at first thought I was a little crazy, but pretty quickly it went viral. The next thing you know, people started tweeting at me with their needs."
@pulte spending my bday alone due to Covid-19 but this just made it 100 times better to receive a surprise and so many bday wishes. Thank you guys! pic.twitter.com/53hEoXBR9w
— MB (@lavibequeen) April 20, 2020
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Pulte is sending people money for things like groceries, rent, or dinner. The process begins when users on Twitter post their needs along with #BailOutHumans and also provide their cash app information for Venmo or PayPal. Olivia Russell put out a tweet about money for supplies and masks and she received a donation.
"It was just some random person that I had never met or talked to," said Russell. "It's really cool to have that opportunity from people I've never met to help out."
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Pulte has inspired many to donate to those in need. Businesswoman Barbara Kavovit runs a construction company and said she was moved to give.
"I posted that I was willing to help people struggling because of COVID-19," said Kavovit. "I chose eight people that I gave Visa cash cards to."
While the social media movement gets money to those who need it, the goodwill of people on the internet brings up a larger conversation about importance of getting money to individuals in need.
"When we look at the stimulus program, they [the government] supported the banks, the financial system," said financial expert Daryl Jones. "We think they really failed is getting money into the people's hands who need it."
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That's why these direct peer-to-peer transactions will only grow more popular, experts say. But as they do, it's important to watch out for scammers.
And remember, getting lucky with free cash from a stranger online is like winning the lottery. The best bailout is a trusted agency or charity.