FORT WORTH TEXAS, a local store manager is being praised for saving the life of a homeless woman who was found frozen in a parking lot during extreme winter weather, as officials continue to stress the importance of helping unhoused individuals during dangerous conditions.
As frigid temperatures and winter storms spread across much of the United States this week, a South Fort Worth food mart manager intervened after discovering a homeless woman outside his store suffering from the cold.
While many unhoused residents sought shelter as temperatures dropped, a woman known locally as Bobby, who is often seen near Evans Food Mart, chose to remain outside despite the dangerous conditions.
Her situation changed when Faris Hussain, a manager at Evans Food Mart and a familiar face to customers in the area, came across her lying on the ground in the parking lot and immediately took action.
Hussain told CBS News that he recognized her as someone he knew and realized she needed help right away. He said he rushed outside and lifted her himself.
He described her condition as extremely severe, saying her body felt stiff and frozen as he carried her inside the store.
Once indoors, the woman slowly began to warm up as people around her assisted and comforted her. She told those helping her that she had been outside throughout the night in the freezing weather.
Community outreach efforts were already underway across Fort Worth ahead of the winter storm. According to KERA News, volunteers and outreach teams were checking on individuals living outdoors, distributing hats and hand warmers, and directing people to shelters that had expanded capacity.
The Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed that emergency crews responded to Evans Food Mart between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday. Paramedics transported the woman to a hospital for medical care.
Hussain said helping people in need is a regular part of life at the store and downplayed being labeled a hero. He said assisting community members is something he and others do daily for those who rely on the store.
He added that moments like this highlight the importance of paying attention and stepping in when someone is clearly in danger.
City officials noted that Fort Worth residents can call 311 and press 9 for updated information about shelter availability during extreme weather. The city activates overflow shelter options when temperatures reach 40 degrees with wet conditions, fall below 35 degrees in dry weather, or when wind chills drop under 32 degrees for several consecutive hours.
When those thresholds are met, individuals are directed to shelters such as Union Gospel Mission, Presbyterian Night Shelter, or The Salvation Army Mabee Center, depending on availability.
The woman’s condition following her hospitalization has not been publicly released. Hussain said he hopes to share an update the next time he sees her.
