Rankin Paynter in video still (©WCSH6,  http://aka.ms/RankinPaynter)

Man buys out a Kmart, gives entire inventory to charity

5/17/2012

Kentucky businessman Rankin Paynter went into a soon-to-be-closed Kmart store to see if he could help himself to a few bargains. By the time he walked out, he'd helped an entire community. Paynter asked what would happen to the goods that remained on the shelves, and was told that "power buyers" would purchase the inventory. Paynter decided to beat them to it, kicking off a six-hour, four cash register process that left him with $200,000 in merchandise. He donated all of it to charity -- every last item. "This will be the first year we have enough hats, coats, and gloves for all the children that we serve," a Clark County Community Service employee said.

 

"It's time to give back," Paynter said, smiling.

most recent

What's the most generous gesture you've ever seen?