More than $1.7 million raised for 88‑year‑old Army veteran working at grocery store

Saturday, December 6, 2025 -An 88‑year‑old U.S. Army veteran working as a cashier in a Michigan supermarket has received a wave of support after his story went viral — and over $1.7 million has now been raised to help him retire in dignity.

The veteran, Ed Bambas, spent decades working for a major automaker before a bankruptcy wiped out his pension. After the loss of his pension and the passing of his wife, Bambas had no choice but to return to work — spending long hours behind the supermarket checkout to make ends meet.

That all changed when a social‑media video capturing Bambas’s story moved thousands of strangers to act. The resulting fundraiser quickly surpassed $1.7 million, giving Bambas the chance to retire — finally able to afford comfort and stability after years of hardship.