Oregon radio station admits to hiding cash in boxes of Walmart cookies

Oregon radio station admits to hiding cash in boxes of Walmart cookies (Photo courtesy Facebook/98.7 The Bull)

Last weekend, an unemployed Oregon man named Phil discovered a $100 bill in the box of snicker doodles he purchased from his local Walmart.

"When I opened it up, a $100 bill popped out," he told KPTV.

He returned to the store and found another $100 bill in another box of the cookies still on the shelf.

When he tried to return the cash to the store's customer service desk, management told him the money was likely planted by a good Samaritan and that he should keep it.

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The sweet surprise was a welcome one for Phil, who was struggling financially.

"Times are really hard for me for a number of reasons," Phil told KPTV, "and it really comes at an opportune time for us."

Phil left a message to the anonymous donor through the news station:

"I'm really thankful, I really appreciate it, and I hope someday I hope to be able to do what you did," he said.

Since Phil's discovery, the mystery behind the hidden cash has been solved.

The good Samaritan behind the bills is a radio station.

After reports of more bills being found in strange places in Salem, Oregon, 98.7 The Bull came forward to take responsibility for the stashed bills.

The hidden money was part of the station's "$1,000 Cash Cow" promotion.

According to assistant program director B-Dub, the station was hiding money in various places simply to make the day of whoever was lucky enough to find it.

"We just want to do some good," he said.

B-Dub added that 98.7 The Bull didn't want to claim credit for all the hidden money being found in Salem in case other good Samaritans are following their example and paying it forward.