Meet The Man Who Gifted 30+ Cars To Those In Need

Eliot Middleton is a mechanic-turned-restaurateur in rural South Carolina
Donated 30+ cars to those in need
Owns Middleton’s Village BBQ

As a child, Eliot Middleton followed his father around everywhere, watching him dedicate his life to being a mechanic who took great pride in fixing car.

Nearly a year after his fathers death, Middleton honors him by fixing junk cars and donating them to people throughout rural South Carolina. In the area where Middleton resides, public transportation is extremely limited. The idea to fix and donate old vehicles came to Middleton in 2020 while hosting a food drive that several local families showed up to with no transportation. Some had walked upwards of four miles for a meal.

“You don’t have a car, you don’t have a career. How will people who have no reliable buses, no Ubers, travel to the city, where they would be able to find bigger jobs at the port authorities or manufacturing centers?”

Middleton told CNN.

In a Facebook post, Middleton made a call out to the local community in search of junk cars. He stated that he would trade a plate of ribs from his restaurant, Middleton’s Village BBQ, to anyone who wishes to donate old car parts.

Middleton also launched an online fundraising campaign to support the project.

So far, he’s collected 100 cars and donated 33 to local community members. All without asking for anything in return.

“Giving someone a car can change all that, and it does change all that,” he said. “I want to help everybody looking to better themselves when transportation is what’s holding them back.”

Melanie Lee with her nephew Frank McClary, the mayor of Andrews, South Carolina and Middleton

“I was so shocked, I never expected it,” Jennings said. “It was very touching for Eliot to think of me too. It really meant so much to me. I didn’t have to worry about how to get to work, or rely on people anymore. I was really struggling and he helped ease that so much.”

Mike Jennings poses with his daughter after Middleton surprised him with a 2000 Subaru Forester

“I was so shocked, I never expected it,” Jennings said. “It was very touching for Eliot to think of me too. It really meant so much to me. I didn’t have to worry about how to get to work, or rely on people anymore. I was really struggling and he helped ease that so much.”