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Former Presidential Chef Will Feed The Homeless With $250K Lottery Prize

A North Carolina chef who has cooked for President Trump and former President Obama says he will use his winnings to build a cafeteria in the Dominican Republic to feed the hungry.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Chef Roberto Mendoza of Charlotte said he’s had a lot of winning moments in his life. 

He’s cooked for President Trump and for former President Obama. He’s even catered the Oscars. 

But he never thought he'd win $250,000 playing the lottery. 

“I have never won anything in my whole life,” Mendoza said. “This is an incredible feeling. I just can’t believe it.”

Mendoza bought a Hit $500 ticket from the 7-Eleven on Nations Ford Road in Charlotte. 

“My mom was up visiting,” Mendoza said. “She told me she had a lucky feeling and knew I was going to win the lottery, so I bought a ticket.”

When he scratched off the $5 ticket... 

“My hands started shaking when I saw the numbers,” Mendoza said. “I’ve been shaking ever since.”

Mendoza claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After state and federal taxes, he took home just over $176,000. He plans to use the money to finish building a cafeteria in the Dominican Republic to feed the hungry. 

“We feed more than 300 children through my foundation,” Mendoza said. “I know what it’s like to be hungry. I told myself when I was a teen that, if I’m ever in a position to give back, I’d do everything I can to make sure no one else has to go hungry.”

Hit $500 launched in July 2018 with six top prizes of $250,000. One top prize is still out there! 

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