With seniors having to stay in isolation as much as possible, going to the grocery store to get supplies can be stressful.
During these troubled times when we all face getting sick or passing this virus onto others it’s our elderly community that need to be protected the most.
The World Health Organization has said the elderly are vulnerable due to their often compromised immune system.
But for Layne McKeel, a senior living alone, he had no choice but to go to the grocery store to get the food he needs.
He, like so many other senior citizens, tries to stock up so he doesn’t have to make too many trips to the store but for Layne this is even more of a challenge as he’s disabled.
As soon as he receives his disability check, Layne makes a trip to the local grocery store in Georgetown, east Tennessee, stocks up on necessities and stays at home for as long as he can.
But on this occasion he got a shock when he reached the checkout.
The 17-year-old cashier told him his bill was $170 but he only had $140. Layne had missed the senior discount hours and wasn’t expecting such a high bill.
“When she said it was $173.00, I said ‘Oh no’ and I pulled my wallet out and I only had 140,” Layne told WRCBtv.
He told cashier Elizabeth Taylor that he’d have to put some items back but the cashier couldn’t bear to see this elderly man take anything out of his cart.
‘I’ll take care of it’
“It was all essential stuff, and he was like ‘what do I owe you?’ And I was like ‘no, it’s fine, I’ll take care of it, it’s okay,’” Elizabeth told WRCBtv.
Layne was shocked and couldn’t believe the cashier was offering to do such a thing, especially a 17-year-old girl for whom every penny counts at that age.
“She’s just a little angel. You know, just the light of day,” Layne said.
Elizabeth said she had witnessed the struggle of many seniors during these troubling times and just wanted to help.
“We’ve seen a lot of older people, and they’re all trying to buy groceries and a lot of places have ran out of stuff, and so the older people are kind of taking the downfall for that. I just try to give back when I can,” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth is such a great example of what we should all be doing during these tough times: looking out for those that need our help.
Please share to pay tribute to this teenager and help inspire others.
