Mom went viral for promising a hungry kid free breakfasts before school — then Amazon fired her

A mom who went viral for feeding a hungry child before school says she was fired by Amazon shortly after the video gained millions of views. The video, posted by Liyahh (@xoxoliyahb) on Instagram, began with a simple act of kindness. Standing at the bus stop with her son, she recorded a short conversation that left her shaken. "Every day I bring my son to the bus stop with breakfast and his lunch. Today, a kid stopped me and told me this," she said in the video.

In the clip, her son’s classmate, Santiago, told her that he didn’t have food at home. He explained that their food "gets gone very fast because we keep eating." When she asked if he ever had breakfast before school, he said, "I don’t have cereal. I don’t have milk." Without hesitating, she offered to bring him breakfast each morning. "Well, I make waffles," she said. "Would you like me to bring you some waffles out here in the morning?" When he nodded, she added, "And if I make some bacon, I’ll give you some bacon as well. You like bacon?" Santiago said yes.

She later captioned the video, "A reminder to stop complaining over the little things, we have actual KIDS out here asking for food. Not a game, a toy, or money. But FOOD. Lunch & Breakfast will be provided to him every day now!" The video went viral with 2.9 million views and 131k likes, and donations started pouring in from across the online community. In follow-up posts, the mom showed stacks of Amazon boxes filled with food and supplies that people had sent to help feed more kids in her area. In another video, she shared herself handing out care packages, including food and toiletries. However, not long after, she uploaded another clip, explaining that the same viral video got her fired from Amazon.

"According to Amazon, you cannot go viral for anything, even if it’s good, because they just sent me my termination letter," she said. Showing the letter on camera, she said, "I’m extremely emotional. Even though this happened, I’m not gonna stop helping other people. I still have a nonprofit organization that I’m building with my sister. This is just putting a pause on everything because, clearly, I have no job. But that’s totally fine. I believe in God, and I know that he will make a way." Situations like her's aren’t uncommon.

Research published in the Columbia Human Rights Law Review notes that employees who engage in what’s called "prosocial activism," actions rooted in moral or social good, often face pushback or even termination when their efforts gain public attention. The study found that current US labor laws rarely protect workers whose activism isn’t tied directly to wages or working conditions, leaving them vulnerable when companies view their actions as publicity risks. The Houston mom says she still plans to continue her nonprofit despite losing her job. "Even though this happened," she said, "I’m not going to stop helping other people."

Thousands of people flooded the comments in her support. @boss.mama.hustle wrote, "What you did was amazing! Amazon should be ashamed of itself. This only means you have far better things coming your way! You will see mama!"  @itsheeygirl added, "Hey mama, you did the right thing. You helping that little boy was the door opening for your blessing. When one door closes, another one opens. Now you, starting your nonprofit, God bless you, watch him work." @amino_assid commented, "This is saddening. These clauses really make it seem like these companies own you outside of the time you give them. Prayerfully, something way bigger is on the horizon. I will be praying for you, Sis."

You can follow Liyahh (@xoxoliyahb) on Instagram for more personal content.

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