CCX News Covers Josh Liljenquist in Brooklyn Park

CCX News transcript

Transcript note: This transcript has been lightly edited for readability by removing non-substantive verbal fillers and adding punctuation. The meaning and sequence of the original broadcast have not been intentionally changed. Bracketed passages and uncertain speaker labels must be checked against the audio before publication.

00:00 — CCX News introduces Josh Liljenquist

CCX NEWS ANCHOR: A famous TikToker known for his viral videos of giving back to local communities and the homeless has recently made his way to Brooklyn Park. Ellie Tulkki reports on his message behind it all.

ELLIE TULKKI, REPORTER: Josh Liljenquist has a passion for helping others.

00:19 — How Julie Liljenquist's service influenced Josh

JOSH LILJENQUIST: Growing up, my mom did something called Meals on Wheels, and she would give food to the less fortunate. I grew up around that and then started doing it myself. Right now, the reason I'm doing it is because of how it makes me feel.

JOSH LILJENQUIST [SOCIAL VIDEO]: Can I get 14 more orders?

SWEET TASTE OF ITALY REPRESENTATIVE: Sure, I can certainly do that. Are you Josh from TikTok?

JOSH LILJENQUIST: Yeah.

SWEET TASTE OF ITALY REPRESENTATIVE: That's awesome. Are you giving this away to the homeless and stuff like that?

JOSH LILJENQUIST: That's what I'm doing now.

ELLIE TULKKI: He visits different local businesses and buys food to take to the homeless.

00:43 — Food as a starting point for conversation

JOSH LILJENQUIST [SOCIAL VIDEO]: You thirsty?

UNIDENTIFIED RECIPIENT: Yeah.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: I'm thirsty too. I'm dead serious. Drink it up, bro.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: Their stories have really spoken to me.

ELLIE TULKKI: Over the last five years, he's gathered 27 million followers doing just that. But he says it's less about the food and the followers and more about the conversations.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: When you're down there, you always have to keep your guard up. When I go down there, people can let their guard down and just tell me how they're doing as a person.

01:07 — Sweet Taste of Italy doubles the meal order

SWEET TASTE OF ITALY REPRESENTATIVE: Got those 15 spaghetti, two meatballs there for you. We're also going to throw in 15 extra ones with two meatballs, so there's going to be a total of 30, and it's going to be on us.

ELLIE TULKKI: Many of the establishments are more than happy to help and end up giving food at little to no cost.

SWEET TASTE OF ITALY REPRESENTATIVE: In a couple of days, it was just about three million views. That was pretty fun.

ELLIE TULKKI: Josh visited Sweet Taste of Italy and went viral for their refusal to let him pay.

SWEET TASTE OF ITALY REPRESENTATIVE [SOCIAL VIDEO]: It's all good. It's on us. We like to help the community. We can't take any money from you guys because you're obviously doing it for a good cause.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: When I do these videos, the restaurant gets exposure, people get to eat, and I can tell a good story and make content that inspires other people to do the same. I feel like it's a win-win-win.

01:50 — Oh My Swee-Tea contributes half of the drink order

ELLIE TULKKI: Sweet Taste of Italy isn't the only place Josh stopped by in Brooklyn Park. He also made a stop at Oh My Swee-Tea.

OH MY SWEE-TEA REPRESENTATIVE: It comes with mango popping boba and strawberry popping boba as well.

ELLIE TULKKI: The theme continued, as Chi, the owner of the local boba shop, paid for half of the drinks Josh wanted to purchase.

CHI TRAN: We're very honored for him to stop by, and we're very honored to help out the community as well.

ELLIE TULKKI: She says Josh popped up on her feed, and she loved his purpose.

CHI TRAN: He really takes the time to get to know their personal stories and their background, and there isn't any judgment at all from him. He really wants to help people who are in need and understand them and where they're coming from.

02:29 — Why Josh says the work is about the people

UNIDENTIFIED RECIPIENT [SOCIAL VIDEO]: Fixing stuff.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: Yeah? Fixing stuff? Love it.

[A brief portion of narration and archival footage about an earlier recipient requires audio review before publication.]

JOSH LILJENQUIST: At the end of the day, if I'm impacting lives and making a difference, then I have to keep doing it. It's not about me anymore. It's about the people.

JOSH LILJENQUIST [SOCIAL VIDEO]: How do you like Minnesota?

UNIDENTIFIED RECIPIENT: It's good.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: You like it in Brooklyn Park?

ELLIE TULKKI: Ellie Tulkki, CCX News.

02:45 — CCX studio close

CCX NEWS ANCHOR: Josh told CCX he loved the community in Brooklyn Park and plans to return very soon. Find more local news stories at CCXMedia.org and follow us on social media.