The Incident at Bargain Grocery

There’s a store in Troy that sells discounted groceries and food staples. It’s called Bargain Grocery, and they usually have overstocked items, “scratch and dent” items, or foods just reaching their expiration date, and need to be sold fast.

You can find some great products there if you look carefully.

And in doing so yesterday, I found an incredible bargain.

As I walked into Bargain Grocery, I saw a promotional sign on the window. Purchase $25 worth of food, and you could purchase a turkey of any size for an additional $10. Probably a bunch of frozen turkeys left over from Thanksgiving, but hey, that turkey gave its existence for the holiday, and frozen turkeys can last for months if stored properly.

Hmm. Canned vegetables, in the cart. Potato chips, in the cart. Oh, here’s some produce – always remember to squeeze the potatoes before you put them in the cart. If they feel spongy, put them back and get other potatoes. Heck, at 99 cents a pound, I’m squeezing these potatoes like I’m Mr. Whipple.

Oh look, here’s a bag of granola. I used to love granola. I don’t know why I haven’t bought granola in a long time. Into the basket you go, bag of granola.

As I reached the cashout line, I examined my purchases one more time. Did I want anything else?

I dunno. I’m still thinking about that turkey. A turkey is a meal for a family, not for a guy who recently got dumped on Christmas. I still have to think about it. Think, think, think …

I placed my purchases on the conveyor belt, and the cashier rang up my totals. $23.38. Not enough for the turkey.

I looked in front of me. There was a young couple, they already purchased their staples.

I looked behind me. An elderly woman brought her items to the register.

“Hold on a second, please,” I said to the cashier.

I ran back to the soda aisle. Three cans of scratch-and-dent Diet Pepsi at 50 cents a can … with deposit …

Total now is $25.03.

“Put another $10 on it and I’ll get the turkey,” I said.

She rang up my purchases.

“Do you want the turkey?” I said to the couple ahead of me.

“No, we’re good, thanks,” was the reply.

I turned to the lady in line behind me. “Do you want the turkey?”

And in that moment …

“I don’t need the turkey … but my neighbors could use a turkey.”

“Give it to them,” I said.

“They’re from Guatemala, they come over to my house and we play card games and dominoes and I help them out when they’re struggling,” she said.

The cashier said to me, “Sir, you just made my day, God bless you.”

And then it was time to head home. Yeah, I spent $35 for $25 worth of groceries …

But I also remember when I didn’t even have $25 for groceries. When I had to pinch pennies just to have one meal. And now that I actually have some semblance of funds, I’m more than happy to donate when I can.

Even if it’s a turkey I’ll never taste – but will enjoy all the same.