When word spread around a grocery store that a single mom was looking for a discounted turkey, employees came together to provide a complete Thanksgiving meal for her small family to enjoy.
"It was really amazing that people care so much for someone they don't even know," Tina Reaves of Vancouver, Wash., told KATU News.
According to KATU, just prior to the holiday, the mother of two girls entered a local Safeway store and nervously approached the manager.
"This is probably going to sound very strange," began Reaves.
She asked the manager if an imperfect turkey could be sold to her for less than the store's posted price.
But "instead of a discounted turkey, the manager offered her a 13-pound turkey -- for free," KATU reported. "Other employees gave money so that she could take home rolls, soda pop, stuffing mix, vegetables, fruit, milk, gravy, pies, even a bottle of sparkling cider."
Store employees also rounded up a $10 Safeway gift card and $11 in extra cash they had on hand -- bringing the total cost of everything to more than $70.
“To see [the manager] with a cart full of this… I was speechless,” Reaves said. “I just started crying, and he gave me the biggest hug.”
In addition, a handwritten note wished Happy Thanksgiving to Reaves, who, despite mounting bills that prevented holiday travel to see relatives, plans to donate some of the extra food to charity.
“At first, I felt that I was really unworthy for all of this, and then after a few minutes of crying I realized that there are so many great people in the world," she said.
And what's even better, perhaps, is that Reaves isn't the only single parent to remember that fact this Thanksgiving.
In Rochester, N.Y., Candy Griffin also received a full Thanksgiving meal from her local grocery store, Herrema's Supermarket. She is a single mother of four children.
Additionally, college students in Santa Barbara make a tradition of donating food to low-income households. This year, 150 volunteers gathered and distributed rolls, whipped cream, traditional dressing and more to 150 single-parent families.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
