ROCHESTER — Residents of a city in southeastern Minnesota started a GoFundMe page for a homeless man who lost his van in an accident.

The Post Bulletin reported Corey Jacob was homeless and living in his van when a possible drunken driver slammed into the van on April 14, disabling it and leaving him with tow and repair costs he couldn’t pay.

When his story got out, Rochester residents came to the rescue, dropping thousands into a GoFundMe account.

Joe Kinsella and Corey Stafford of Kinsella’s Auto Sales started the fundraising campaign with the original goal of raising $5,000.

“We were hopeful, but not very optimistic. Then after first day, it didn’t take long to realize we needed to raise goal,” Stafford said.

When the campaign met the original goal, they raised it to $7,500. In the end they raised almost $8,000.

“It was a pleasant surprise. It was great to see the community come together,” Stafford said.

A used car dealership found Jacob a replacement van and sold it to him for $1.

“I’m so humbled, so very grateful for the outpouring of support,” Jacob said.

Jacob said he plans to use the money to maintain the van until he can afford Section 8 housing.