Publix employee pays for customer’s groceries when she realizes she didn’t have enough money

One woman learned just how kind people are as many of us struggle during the pandemic.

Now, she’s making sure people know that even when things aren’t going right, there is still good in the world.

Sandra Richards went to Publix, got her groceries, and was ready to pay — or so she thought.

When she got to the register, she realized all she had was $13 in cash.

“Then James said, ‘That doesn’t sound too good,’ and I said, ‘No, I don’t have enough money. I don’t have a credit card with me,'” she explained.

Without thinking twice, the Publix employee who was ringing her up paid the remaining balance of over $50.

“Is that your personal credit card? He said yes,” Richards said.

Instantly, she said she’d return to pay him back.

“No, no, no. No need to. Just pay it forward,” she said the employee told her. “I said, ‘Well this is incredibly kind of you, it’s a wonderful gesture.'”

She wanted to let others know.

“So, so touched that I got into the car and I texted my husband immediately,” Richards said.

Then, she posted about it on Facebook. Her post was seen by thousands in our community, including James’ supervisor.

“For a young man to just go into his pocket and pay so I could leave the store with my groceries and wouldn’t have to come back was just incredibly kind and we were very, very grateful,” said Richards.

It’s a reminder that even during these hard times, some so unselfishly are willing to give a helping hand to a stranger.

“The last message for James is that he was incredibly kind and we really appreciate it and, like I said, the story isn’t about me, it’s really about him and his kindness,” she said.