​Brevard man rides bicycle to deliver meals, clothing to county homeless following Matthew

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – He doesn't have a car and he doesn't have a lot of money, but Tommie Studstill has a lot of heart and a lot of skills in the kitchen.

The 55-year-old is a handyman by trade but he says his true calling is helping the homeless.

"I realized I'm only one step away from being homeless," the Merritt Island resident said. "Everyone is only one step. All it takes is one disaster, one catastrophe."

For thousands of Brevard County people who were already homeless before the storm, the demand for necessities is huge right now.

"They're devastated," Studstill said.

That's where he comes in.

Since Saturday, Studstill has delivered hundreds of home-cooked meals and clothing to homeless camps in Cocoa, Merritt Island and by the beach. And that's all by bicycle.

"They're happy and they look forward to seeing me," Studstill said.

Thursday, News 6 watched him prepare for a delivery to the homeless in Cocoa and followed him to donate clothes to woman in Merrit Island.

Studstill says it's a lot of work to do what he's doing, but the moments he shares with those in need let him know he's making a difference and getting results.

"Even though I don't have a car, I have a roof over my head. I can lay in bed and watch television at night if I wanted to," Studstill said."But these people can't do that. It's about helping someone else,."


About the Author:

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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