Kindness Prevails as Strangers Raise $500K for Retired Couple Forced to Work as DoorDash Drivers

78-year-old Richard Pulley and his wife Brenda, 76, turn to gig work to make ends meet, but community rallies to help them retire

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:49am

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A 78-year-old Tennessee retiree named Richard Pulley and his 76-year-old wife Brenda were forced to work as DoorDash delivery drivers to afford their medication and other expenses after Brenda lost her job. Their story went viral after a customer, Brittany Smith, shared a heartbreaking video of Richard struggling to make a delivery. Smith then started a GoFundMe that raised nearly $500,000 from kind strangers to help the couple retire and live comfortably.

Why it matters

This story highlights the financial struggles many retirees face, especially those without pensions or adequate savings. It also showcases the power of community and compassion, as complete strangers rallied to support the Pulleys and help them transition back into retirement after years of needing to supplement their income through gig work.

The details

Richard and Brenda Pulley, who have been married for over 56 years, began working as DoorDash delivery drivers over a year ago after Brenda lost her job "at no fault of her own." The couple, in their late 70s, said they had no choice but to turn to gig work to afford their medication and other expenses. A customer named Brittany Smith captured video of Richard slowly making a Starbucks delivery, which went viral after she shared it online. Smith then started a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $500,000 from generous strangers to help the Pulleys retire and live comfortably.

  • On March 10, 2026, Brittany Smith captured video of Richard Pulley making a DoorDash delivery.
  • On March 12, 2026, Brittany Smith met with the Pulleys to show them the GoFundMe campaign she had created.

The players

Richard Pulley

A 78-year-old Tennessee retiree who was forced to work as a DoorDash delivery driver with his wife to make ends meet.

Brenda Pulley

Richard Pulley's 76-year-old wife, who lost her job "at no fault of her own" and had to turn to gig work with her husband to supplement their income.

Brittany Smith

A customer who captured video of Richard Pulley struggling to make a DoorDash delivery, which went viral, and then started a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $500,000 for the Pulleys.

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What they’re saying

“When you're past your mid-70s, there's not exactly a line of people waiting to hire you.”

— Brenda Pulley

“With just one income in the family, you have to push ... Just losing that, we had to supplement it.”

— Richard Pulley

“It's just really difficult to believe that there's that many people that are that generous to try to help us ... People that don't even know us.”

— Richard Pulley

“Sometimes you just look at all the things that you need to pay ... because if it don't, you're going to end up in the hospital ... with something even more expensive than that.”

— Brenda Pulley

“She's remarkable. I just can't believe that someone would be that caring to set this up for us.”

— Brenda Pulley

What’s next

The Pulleys plan to use the funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign to retire and focus on their health and well-being.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story demonstrates the power of community and compassion, as strangers came together to support a retired couple struggling to make ends meet. It highlights the financial challenges many retirees face and the importance of ensuring a secure retirement for all.