On a hot summer afternoon, underneath a hot carport in Cocoa, the smell of fried chicken is in the air.

  • Tommie Studstill of Cocoa makes meals for homeless
  • He and his charity also pack hygiene bags
  • 'Everybody needs and deserves somebody,' he says
  • RELATED: Nominate an Everyday Hero

But for Tommie Studstill, his savory creation isn't for him or his family.

Studstill goes out as often as he can each week, warm food in hand, to homeless camps across central Brevard County.

"People fell on bad times, and now they are out there," Studstill said. "Everybody needs and deserves somebody."

Studstill's group also hands out packaged hygiene kits, plastic Ziploc bags filled with personal items such as deodorant and toothpaste, to help people out in the elements.

Studstill doesn't have a car. So when it's cold out, he sometimes rides his bike to the store to get supplies to hand out — paying for it out of his own pocket.

On a recent outing Studstill and his group made two stops in Cocoa: One to small homeless camp, where about nine people were living in tents, braving the weather; the other, just down the street, where 18 families — including children — live in the woods.

"I'm glad there are people who are willing to come out and help us," James Holland said.

Studstill said that sometimes, he doesn't get a thank you, but he knows what he's doing is the right thing to do.

He said his early life wasn't what it could have been.

"I'm a five-time loser. I've been to prison five times," Studstill said.

But it's those mistakes that motivate him to help the community even more.

" 'Oh, he's an ex-con, he's forgotten about' — I refuse to let that be said about me," Studstill said.

And when you see the faces his group is helping, Studstill will be remembered for his giving heart.

Studstill's charity can be reached at 321-795-8646.