Woman stopped from buying turkeys at Wareham Shaw’s Supermarket that were to benefit needy families

“I have never done this type of thing before on Facebook but I have an interesting story that I feel compelled to share with you.

I went to Shaw’s in Wareham to buy 5 turkeys for the K Kids Club at the Minot Forest School. The K Kids Club is comprised of 3rd and 4th-grade students and its mission is all about community service. The K Kids have been working hard to collect can goods from students at the Minot Forest School. The K Kids then make up food baskets to donate to needy families in Wareham and Damien’s pantry.

During my lunch period, I ran to Shaws and loaded 5 Butterball Turkeys (cause that’s the kind my Mum buys) into the carriage and proceeded to check out. At the check out the cashier let me know that she could only ring up one turkey. I explained these turkeys were for needy families from Minot Forest school and asked her to check with the manager. The floor manager confirmed that I could only purchase one turkey but was willing to call upstairs.

The response from upstairs was ‘No, I couldn’t purchase 5 turkeys at one time, they would need to be bought one a time.’ But, I could ‘go through cooperate’. I pushed the carriage of five turkeys off to the side and proceeded to buy one turkey at a time. I only have 30 minutes of lunchtime. I let my absolute displeasure be known to the floor supervisor telling her these turkeys were for needy families in the community where Shaw’s does its business.

A wonderful veteran was in line behind me and overheard this exchange. Shaking his head, he walked over to my discarded carriage of 4 turkeys and took one of the turkeys out and said he would pay for it. I had to work really hard not to cry like a baby at his kindness. I bought my turkey and waited for his turn. When it came time to purchase his turkey he tipped his vet’s hat and asked the cashier quietly if he couldn’t possibly buy 2 turkeys. She nodded and I ran to get a second turkey from my lonely cart and put it with his stuff on the belt. Then he paid for 1 turkey and I paid for the second. I gave that guy the biggest hug! 3 turkeys down 2 to go! But my 30 minutes is up!

I run back to school, pick my third graders up from the hero aide who saves my bacon by delivering my class halfway down the hall to me (Thanks Mary!), do a quick potty patrol, bring the kiddos to music, and head back to Shaw’s for the remaining 2 turkeys. I’ve got to get them at Shaw’s because it’s the closest store to WMS and I have a 40-minute prep.

Also, Mr. Houdlette, the K Kids adviser, has let me know that he may be making the food drop very soon. So I calculate that I have just enough time to wait in line, buy one turkey, wait in line, buy a turkey. I return to the store in about 10 minutes, run up to where I left my carriage and it’s gone. OOOKaaaay. I head back to the turkey freezer and yep, there are my birdies.

But wait, I promised I would buy 5 turkeys for K Kids so I decide to wait in line and buy my fifth turkey. The veteran’s turkey can now feed a sixth local family. I feel much better, more honest about it this way. I head back to the same cashier because she had been so kind. She looks around and says quietly, “I helped you before but I can’t again.” I quickly reassure her that it’s okay and I head to a different cashier. I know what’s it’s like to need your job to feed your family.

While in line, a kind lady behind me lets me know that I’ve left 2 turkeys behind in my carriage at the end of the check out aisle. I explain to her that I can only buy 1 turkey at a time even though they are for needy families from Minot Forest School and local families. This nice lady says she’d really like to help me out. I tell her I have $20.00 cash in my pocket and ask her if she’d be willing to throw one of my turkeys in her carriage. I hand over the 20 dollars and thank her profusely. She says she wishes she could buy one of the turkeys for me and I quickly reassure her she’s really helping me out a lot by putting my birdie in her cart for me.

Meanwhile, I kid you not, the floor manager comes up behind her and starts to take the 2 remaining turkeys away again. I tell her, “No, I’m coming back for them one at a time.” At this point, she comes up and says, “You were not very kind to me the way you spoke to me.” I pretty much told her, I let my displeasure be known earlier and I’m not sorry because having to buy each turkey 1 at a time for needy families is unkind. I let her know that I Shaw’s should be ashamed of themselves. I told her some of our kids have members in their families who were murdered this week and this month and we’re just trying to donate some turkeys.

The floor manager continued saying that she didn’t make up the rules and Shaw’s donates a lot to the community and I embarrassed her. I told her Shaw’s should be embarrassed and ashamed because I’m not asking for a donation, I’m trying to buy 5 turkeys at one time for needy kids in my community, in her community, in Shaw’s community.

But that’s not all. I get back to school and my vice principal comes to my door with a weird look on her face. Someone from Shaw’s has called the Superintendent’s Office. Yep, people, I have a face to face with my boss because I tried to buy 5 turkeys at a time from the Shaw’s in Wareham for a good cause and expressed my displeasure at not being allowed to do so. At no time did I use profanity or threatening language. I did not destroy store merchandise or harass other shoppers.

What is our country coming to when common sense can’t be allowed to override corporate policy. Trust your employees to do the right thing Shaw’s! Also, speaking my truth is not a punishable offense. It is an American right. Thank God Dr. Shaver Hood was willing to hear this crazy tale of 6 Turkeys and commiserate with me over this lunacy. I too need my job to feed my family.

That’s it. My first Facebook rant completed. That’s all I’ve got folks. I’m exhausted.

By the way, my husband came home tonight with a terrific 18 lb turkey from Market Basket for 20 bucks, Butterball!

Just saying…” -Julie Anne Cardoso.