Mr Shytles’ original Facebook ad.

Homeless man Neal Shytles was desperate not to spend Thanksgiving alone this year.

“I am lonely like 365 days a year but Christmas and Thanksgiving are two of the worst days, and I really miss having some kind of family atmosphere around me,” Mr Shytles told US news station WTKR.

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Mr Shytles lives in a Virginia shelter after losing his job as a taxi driver and has no family nearby.

After posting an ad on WTKR’s Facebook page looking for “a person, family or couple to spend Thanksgiving day with”, Mr Shytles appeared in a television interview.

“It would mean so much. I’m lonely and forming that relationship with somebody … I would really cherish it,” Mr Shytles said.

The network was then flooded with calls, emails and Facebook messages with offers from families wanting to take Mr Shytles in.

Virginian couple Ashley and Cory LeMore were the first to contact Mr Shytles, who promptly broke down in tears.

“I was crying when she called me and I had to excuse myself because I was emotional,” Mr Shytles said.

“I love both you and your husband even though I haven’t met you,” he reportedly told Mrs LeMore.