It was a regular day for Kami Scott, manager of The Market at Powell (formerly known as Mr. D’s). Scott was working the checkout counter when she saw a wallet on the floor in one of the aisles.

It happens, and the company’s policy is to put lost valuables in the safe — which Scott did until she had time to try to find its owner. However, a man soon came in matching the picture on the license in the wallet and Scott handed over his property. The manager knew him only as Chris, but the picture was unmistakable, she said.

He checked the wallet and said “it’s all here,” Scott recalled.

But what the man did next surprised her. Thankful for his returned wallet, Chris said he wanted to buy $350 worth of turkeys and wondered if Scott knew a good place to donate them. It was commodities day — when those in need can get food supplements offered monthly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service — and Scott knew those in need of assistance would appreciate the gift before the holidays.

Scott had already comforted Patty Paulsen, chairperson for the distributions and auxiliary president of American Legion Post 26, who said they weren’t going to have enough food to go around. “She [Paulsen] was emotional, which made me emotional,” Scott said.

Paulsen said the number of families in need has been breaking records this year. When the truck rolled in with the food last week, local organizers immediately knew they would be short on meat for struggling families.

Members of the Legion had already kicked in hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to help make up the difference, but it still wasn’t enough. “A lot of us have been quite emotional. People are struggling both emotionally and financially,” Paulsen said.

As Chris offered to buy about 400 pounds of turkeys, a rush of emotions suddenly overcame Scott. His offer seemed like an answer to prayers.

Tears started to roll down Scott’s cheeks.

“I’ve been in this business for a long time and with the pandemic, I see a lot of people struggle,” she said. “Seeing people in the community step up, his gift just hit a spot in my heart.”

After buying the turkeys, Chris simply disappeared.

“He was a godsend,” Paulsen said. “It was truly a miracle from God.”