Kentucky man buys out entire Kmart, donates it all to charity

[superpatriotman]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/rankin-paynter-greatest-person_n_1523818.html

When Rankin Paynter learned that the Kmart in his Kentucky town was closing, he decided to buy everything that remained on the store's shelves -- and give it all away.

Four cash registers and six-and-a-half hours after his shopping spree began, the benevolent businessman walked away with $200,000 worth of inventory and gave it all over to Clark County Community Services, a nonprofit that helps families in Winchester, Ky., facing crisis situations, WLEX reports.

"It's time to give back," the "Summer Santa" told the news source.

Video at link

[WI_DEM]

1. Good for him!

[one_voice]

2. Nice story.

[Laurian]

3. Finally, a feel good story. Contrast this man with the selfish Facebook guy.

[MrSlayer]

4. See, we don't need taxes or welfare.

Guys like this will take care of you if you need it. That's what wingnuts say anyway.

[The Wielding Truth]

13. This is just a drop in the bucket. Wing nuts are so unaware of the real need so many have.

[MrSlayer]

15. I know but this is the kind of crap they say.

Charity given willingly is better than taxes. I say it's just selectively helping who you want and telling everyone else to fuck off.

[TBF]

19. I agree completely -

it's hard to combat but you are absolutely right. It's really the same thing with all the charitable organizations. It just keeps propping up the capitalism yet it's hard for folks to see giving as a negative. But you are absolutely correct.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

42. This props capitalism.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

43. This props capitalism.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

44. This props capitalism.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[The Wielding Truth]

26. I am in agreement with your statement.

[HiPointDem]

23. +1

[Marrah_G]

40. I agree

But until the day comes that we really take care of our people in a fair and just manner, these donations are so necessary.

My mom volunteers at her local food pantry. She says there are so many more people needing help and alot less donations coming in.

[DiverDave]

5. Wow, bless this guy

It sure is nice to hear good news once in a while.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. +1000

[liberal N proud]

7. Cool

[onethatcares]

8. wow, he's my hero de jour

may he walk proud the rest of his life.

[Kadie]

9. Awesome.

[glinda]

10. Wonderful. Now if the community didn't have to pick up the tab on an empty building.

[hifiguy]

11. Mr. Paynter just hit the karma jackpot.

Good for him!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

12. What You Said! K&R

[TlalocW]

14. His one condition...

After all the shelving gets moved out, he gets to roller-skate in the empty building for 3 hours.

TlalocW

[NickB79]

16. I want to make a joke about how crappy Kmart is

But I just can't do it in good conscience.

[HappyMe]

17. That makes me smile.

What a wonderful guy.

[greytdemocrat]

18. That was very nice of him.

[JitterbugPerfume]

20. What a kind and loving man!

The world needs more just like him.

[lpbk2713]

21. On the other hand ...

Mittens would have been proud just to know all the Kmart employees were without jobs now.

[marlakay]

22. Now see this is what the 1% should do with their extra $$

instead of buying negative ads a million here and there….

this is real christianity!

[Scurrilous]

24. K & R

[barbtries]

25. that is beautiful.

good on him.

[nevergiveup]

27. This is so nice. Actually it is beyond nice.

[abelenkpe]

28. Great story and great guy! Nt

[Snotcicles]

29. Thank you Rankin Paynter, you have made this Yankee feel a little better about Kentucky.

And because of Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell I didn't think it would be possible.

[ChazInAz]

30. Bravo, Mr. Paynter

You, sir, are a true gentleman.

[BlueIris]

31. We should clone him, and replace all of Congress with the clones.

Hey, an Iris can dream.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

32. Fabuloso

man and gesture.

[Danmel]

33. very nice

Someone who can help and is willing.to helo. Thanks Mr. Paynter.

[Evasporque]

34. Big tax break for him....

why pay taxes on the 200k when you can give it away in the form of crap people will consume in a few weeks...200K could of gone to much better longer term uses...

[Marrah_G]

39. That crap went to poor families in crisis

When you are poor and in crisis there is no long term.

[secondvariety]

46. Yeah,

crap like food, clothing and maybe a few household items most people take for granted. I think what he did was a great thing and he deserves every tax deduction he can take.

[rox63]

35. Wonderful story!

Glad to see someone of means giving back to his community.

[JHB]

36. If this is the right guy, looks like his business is a "buying center"...

...gold, silver, jewelery, etc. (Not a pawn shop, according to the website http://www.rankinpaynterbuyingcenter.com/) (right name and location for the man in the article)

What's depressing is that his business is the sort that is successful when people are selling off possessions to stay afloat. He's certainly in a position to know how badly people in his area need some help.

(note: I'm not speculating on the man one way or another, just bummed by the nature of what sort of business was in a position to help out. But then, if things were going better there, odds are the K-Mart wouldn't be closing in the first place)

[ScreamingMeemie]

37. What an incredibly generous thing to do.

[Marrah_G]

38. Wow

You don't see things like that often these days.

[CrispyQ]

41. Last night I watched a segment of "Million Dollar Rooms" on HGTV & felt soiled after wards.

Years ago I saw a photo of scrawny, little boys in Darfur. They were searching the ground for ants to eat. That photo has stayed with me all this time & whenever I see shit like Million Dollar Rooms, I wonder how someone can spend over a million dollars on a room while some where on this planet little boys are searching for ants to eat.

Oh & the awe the TV hosts have for this gross excess is almost as nauseating.


Mr. Rankin Paynter,

[KurtNYC]

45. Wow. Talk about complusive shopping!

I hope he had coupons.