As a Petworth resident for greater than 20 years, Foreman, 53, was decided to “do something for the community,” the place gun violence has been a troubling issue.
“Specifically on that block, there has been more than our share of situations,” he stated, referring to crime. “People can’t do good unless they see good.”
He has tried to make his store a shiny spot on Kennedy Street.
“You have to start somewhere,” he stated.
Whenever Foreman comes throughout a buyer who might use a pick-me-up, he stated, he fortunately affords them a candy deal with — on the home, no questions requested.
Last May, one common buyer caught him doing simply that. She watched as Foreman served up a free scoop to a toddler who didn’t have cash. The following week, the shopper confirmed up with an envelope containing $100 — sufficient to purchase about 28 scoops.
“He’s doing something tangible to improve the situation,” stated Nicole, who requested The Washington Post to solely use her first title to guard her privateness.
On Fridays, particularly in hotter months, Nicole sometimes takes her two youngsters, ages 9 and 11, to Everyday Sundae after faculty for a cone.
“Mr. Charles is so great, and the ice cream is excellent, too,” she stated, including that the store has been a “really good change agent” within the neighborhood.
Foreman was touched by his buyer’s type gesture and determined to share it on social media.
“I don’t think you can really explain how good it feels when somebody comes in and does something for somebody else,” Foreman stated. “How often do you see that?”
Soon, a spontaneous chain of giving began to form. Not lengthy after he shared the story, “someone else came in and gave a donation, and it kind of took off organically.”
“When you see people doing their best, you want to do your best,” stated Foreman, who has two sons, ages 16 and 24. “Everything is contagious, whether you do something negative or positive.”
Since Nicole’s preliminary donation, a number of others have contributed to the ice cream fund. While some have given $100 items, others have merely requested to purchase the following two scoops in line — which as soon as triggered a day-long sequence of individuals doing the identical, he stated.
“Everybody kept paying it forward,” Foreman stated. “You start to see the best in people. It was really touching.”
In complete, individuals have donated lots of of cones, and Foreman ensures all contributions go on to individuals within the neighborhood who may not be capable of afford a scoop. He often provides free cones to youngsters, he stated, however he has additionally handed them out to adults and seniors who is perhaps going by way of a tough time.
“That’s just part of being in the community,” Foreman stated. “We’re supposed to do all we can to help each other.”
Everyday Sundae serves up generously sized scoops for $3.50, and affords a rotation of fifty flavors, together with cappuccino crunch, dark-chocolate hazelnut fudge, cake batter and different fan-favorites, like oatmeal cookie and strawberry cheesecake.
Even although the store has solely been open for a short while, Foreman stated his clients really feel like household.
“These things build strength between all of us,” he said.
In addition to the impromptu ice cream fund, Foreman has also hosted various other initiatives, including free movie nights and storybook readings for kids, as well as clothing drives.
“We’re just getting started,” he stated.
“The little things that you do are the ripple effect on the pond,” Foreman added. “It issues.”