This Viral TikToker Is Calling Churches To See If They Would Help Feed A Hungry Baby

"In an Oct. 31 video, Nikalie Monroe explained the reasoning behind her social experiment, saying, "I'm actually going to be testing and seeing if local churches in my area first are willing to help somebody that's in need when they call up and ask for help." To be clear, this is a hypothetical scenario. Nikalie doesn't actually need formula for a baby - she's testing the churches to see what they would do in this situation. Since then, she has called 42 churches and asked for help in obtaining formula. Despite the recording of a crying baby often playing in the background, 33 churches said no. Many people directed Nikalie to resources and organizations that could possibly assist but did not help her themselves."

"One heartwarming video that garnered 5.9 million views showed Nikalie calling an Islamic center in Charlotte. The man who answered the phone immediately agreed to help. In a follow-up video, he said, "I think every church or mosque, they're only as good as the people who work here... When people come to us for help, I don't see it as a burden; I see an opportunity to help people." In another video with over 5 million views, the pastor of a small church in Kentucky said yes, mentioning that he's a great-grandpa. He even asked if there was a particular flavor of formula Nikalie needed. So sweet! He quickly became known on the internet as Appalachian grandpa."

A social experiment involved calling 42 local churches and requesting baby formula while a recording of a crying infant played in the background. Thirty-three churches declined to provide formula, frequently directing callers to external resources or organizations instead of offering direct assistance. Several smaller churches and individual parishioners agreed to help, sometimes asking about formula preferences. An Islamic center in Charlotte answered positively and a small Kentucky pastor offered immediate assistance. The more personal responses from smaller faith communities contrasted with the majority refusals, prompting online viewers to share recommendations and praise volunteers who stepped forward.

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