CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Many people across the country and in the Charlotte area are struggling to make ends meet in the midst of the tough economic times. Eyewitness News has learned there's a movement at one local radio station that's prompting people to show generosity when others don't expect it.

Father of three Dan Linsz and his wife are on the go and trips through fast food restaurants are pretty typical for them. But one ride to their local Wendy's was different.

"We decided it would be cool to come here and pay for the person behind us," Linsz said.

He's talking about the person behind him in the drive-through line. Linsz wanted to return the favor after a stranger did the same for him, out of the blue.

"It felt great. I had scrounged up a bunch of change for lunch and it came back to me," he said.

Linsz also heard about this random act of kindness on local radio station New Life 91.9. They started the Drive Thru Difference where drivers pull up and pay for the car behind them.

Joe Paulo is the general manager at New Life.

"People are getting encouraged on both ends, the ones receiving it, and the ones giving. And the emotion that we here in people's voices, I mean people are in tears over a cup of coffee and a sandwich,” he said.

Here's how it works. People can download a note from 91.9's Web site. It says "You don't know me, but I just paid for your order, just something I wanted to do."

Then drivers take the note, with payment for their order and the next, hand it to the cashier, drive off and let the person behind you grab their surprise.

Joy Pasquariello works the drive-through at Wendy's near Carowinds.

“They pick up their meal, they're just ecstatic about it. They really are,” she said.

She has seen it happen a number of times, and the best part for her is the reactions.

"They're excited. They're happy about it,” she said.

Linsz said, while it felt good, it was really about teaching his kids an important lesson.

"It was great for our kids to see because they always want presents, but it was great for them to see it's just as fun or more, to give,” he said.

New Life said several people called in who have been touched by the Drive Thru Difference.

For more information: Newlife 91.9