The Kroger parking lot was jam-packed Friday afternoon and the smell of hamburgers wafted through the air as hundreds of people waited in line to buy a Mugshots hamburger.
The hungry customers weren’t just visiting the food truck because they were hungry, they were there to help out a family in need.
Nolan Shannon was born Aug. 27, via emergency cesarean section to Sadie and Kyle Shannon, formerly of Columbus.
During her pregnancy, Sadie Shannon suffered from HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening complication that attacks the mother’s liver and breaks down red blood cells. Nolan was delivered seven weeks premature and was in ICU for 25 days.
He remains on a heart and lung monitor and is still suffering from apnea/bradycardia episodes.
Mugshots, a Starkville restaurant, brought its food truck to Columbus and raised nearly $9,000 for the Shannon family.
If patrons couldn’t visit the Kroger parking lot, Mugshots delivered the burgers to those who ordered 15 or more.
Kyle Shannon’s cousin, Tracy Power, said her family has been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support.
“Words cannot express how grateful our family is for the support of this amazing community,” she said. “(Friday’s) event reaffirmed my belief in the kindness and generosity of Mississippians. To see a community of people come together in support of their own is a powerful and moving sight.”
The family said their strong faith in God has helped see them through this trying time and they are thankful for Nolan’s progress and optimistic for the future.
“We, as a family, believe in the power of prayer,” Power said. “God is so good and so are his people.”
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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