Canton Walmart worker pays for groceries for 86-year-old woman who forgot money

CANTON − For Barb Freday, it was one of those days.

After selecting $88 worth of groceries at the Walmart superstore near Canton Centre Mall, the 86-year-old Massillon resident got to the checkout counter earlier this month only to realize she had forgotten to bring money.

We've all been there — faced with the embarrassing option of just leaving the groceries behind or asking a worker to watch over them until we run home, get money and return.

But in Freday's case, something unexpected happened.

The cashier — identified only by his first name of "Dan" — offered to cover her bill with his credit card, based on nothing more than Freday's promise that she would return and pay him back.

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"I was so thankful for him," Freday said. "He let me go out with those groceries, and didn't even ask me my name. The only thing I was hoping is he wouldn't get into trouble for helping me. That's putting a lot of faith in somebody."

Good to her word, Freday quickly returned to the store and reimbursed him, along with a tip.

"I feel my guardian angel led me right to Dan," Freday said in note to the Canton Repository. "He didn't have to do that."

Walmart declined to make Dan available for an interview or comment for this story, but stated in an email that he is a great associate.