Overheard at Star/Shaw’s food market in Porter Square, Cambridge MA (October 26, 2023)

Taking a break from my regular postings—currently about my personal connections with people in Gaza and Israeli communities near the Gaza border—I decided to blog about a good mensch story, spontaneously aiding a recent Ukrainian immigrant. Originally I’d posted this with Nextdoor, an online neighborhood message board. As of this blog, 54 people have commented. I’ll conclude my story with some of those comments.

I stood waiting in line to check out while the line behind me lengthened. I felt my impatience rising, along with that of others behind me. A woman two customers in front of me was unable to pay because her EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer, or Food Stamps) card failed to complete the transaction. The cashier, a tall man with a strong jutting chin and brush hair cut, tried three times to complete the sale. He said, I can’t understand a word you’re telling me, your card just doesn’t work. Do you have any other way to pay? The woman, perhaps in her 60s, stout, looked bewildered. I was nearly close enough to overhear. I thought I heard her speak Russian to the cashier. The woman behind her, in front of me, then began translating. She turned around to me and explained, this woman is from Ukraine.

Unable to find a way to pay, the Ukrainian woman unpacked all her food from her large shopping bag. As the two women continued to speak, a woman behind me said, I’ll pay for her groceries. Translated from English to Ukrainian or Russian, the Ukrainian woman put her hand over her heart and shook her head no, she wouldn’t accept this gift. The cashier then called the manager, a young black woman. Helped by the accidental translator, she spoke with the Ukrainian woman who then, smiling, repacked her groceries and left the store. A gift from Porter Square Star/Shaw’s market.

(Both photos from the internet)

A selection of comments from Nextdoor:

Thank you for posting this story exemplifying the saying “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”. We need more of these examples and less of the reactionary, snippy, clickbait stuff. (Katie)

I’m teary-eyed reading this. I can’t imagine living in a strange country, not knowing the language, with no relatives or much money, dealing with all the red tape etc needed to navigate this new country’s system. Thank you for posting. It is so heart warming to hear of these beautiful acts of compassion and kindness. (Kim)

Kim, assuming she didn’t know the translator, what are the chances that a fellow traveler would be right in back of you? Cambridge has over 100 languages spoken. that is what makes this place so rich in cultures. (Marilee)

Thank you for a beautifully told story with a happy ending of generosity and caring. I wish there were more stories these days that had happy endings and you are also introducing a new format for Nextdoor of stories with happy endings. This brings lovingkindness to Nextdoor, which is new concept for this forum! with gratitude (Pattie❣)

Thank you for posting this story. With so many dark clouds on the horizon, this heartening outcome gives us hope. A notch in the positivity column for Nextdoor. (Janet)