Food bank receives an unexpected zero

Sullivan Auto Group, which has five dealerships in Northern California, told a local food bank that it would be making a $5,000 donation. But when it came time to cut the check, John L. Sullivan said no to the idea.

Instead, Sullivan multiplied the amount by 10. And he didn't tell officials from Placer Food Bank about the change until they showed up to collect it.

"I was blown away," Lisa Heinrich, the food bank's director of development, told TV station KCRA in Sacramento. "I had no idea — no idea. I'm not often one to be at a loss for words, but I was at a total loss."

Sullivan, who started selling used cars in the 1960s and has been a dealer for more than 40 years, said he was inspired by his father, who was distressed to see anyone go hungry. When he learned that his business had promised a $5,000 gift, he said it just didn't sound like enough to make a real difference.

"How many families is that going to feed? How many stomachs is that going to fill? We have to do much, much better than that," Sullivan said. "Is it going to solve the problem? No, it's not. I'm not naive enough to think it's going to solve the problem, but it's to feed empty stomachs and help families, and that's all I can do."