Community members in Provincetown, Massachusetts, are feeling grateful after an anonymous donor gave them a big surprise recently.
When Cheryl Patterson arrived at the Stop & Shop grocery store at 6 a.m. on Saturday, she had no idea what was waiting for her at the checkout, according to the Cape Cod Times.
As she got ready to pay for her groceries, the cashier said, “Oh no, that’s not going to work today.”
Confused, Patterson asked what they meant, and the cashier said a donor had already paid her bill.
“I was initially speechless. There aren’t even words to describe this,” she recalled, adding that when the cashier told her “Happy Easter,” they both began to cry.
Thursday, the anonymous person expressed an interest in donating to the store’s customers who shop between six and 7:30 a.m., according to store management.
Those early morning hours are reserved for seniors and people with compromised immune systems who are trying to avoid contracting the coronavirus.
Friday, the person bought $5,000 worth of gift cards to buy groceries for those who shop during that hour and a half.
“The generous shopper wanted to make a meaningful contribution. The shopper was very thankful to our Provincetown team for being on the front lines and keeping our communities fed,” said Maria Fruci, who is the manager and spokesperson for the chain’s external communications and community relations department.
“We are grateful to have such caring customers and associates. Their commitment inspires us every day!” Fruci continued.
When she told her staff about the anonymous donation, store Manager Melinda McCarthy said the news immediately brightened everyone’s day.
“It was super satisfying for all of us,” she noted.
Like Patterson, many of the customers were shocked when the cashiers told them their bills were taken care of and one even left a thank you note at the store.
“Tears of Joy and Gratitude to all!! We will do something today for someone in an effort for us to ‘pay it forward,'” the note read.