Family of Six Surprised With $1,000 check for groceries From Kroger and Texas Rangers

Carlie Lindsey always keeps prices top of mind when she shops for groceries.

“I am looking for the digital coupons, I’m looking for the sales, we’re in the clearance aisle all the time,” Lindsey said. “I love to stay under $150, and that is just to make sure we can do all the other stuff that we have, like our bills, gas, and everything like that.”

But $150 at the grocery store doesn’t stretch the way it once did, especially when you’re feeding a family of six.

Because of that, her trips to Kroger in Fort Worth are often surprising.

Recently, Lindsey’s pastor told her that her family had been chosen for a private meet-and-greet with some Texas Rangers players. But that was only the lead-up to a heartwarming surprise.

“We were taken to the back of the Kroger, to the dairy aisle, and lo and behold, there’s two Rangers and a big ole check with $1,000 written on it,” Lindsey said.

“You could see the smile on mom and dad’s face, you know, the shock on the kids’ faces. They were shy at first, but they warmed up, and that was cool to see,” said Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia.

Garcia and fellow Rangers pitcher Cole Winn were there to cover the family’s grocery bill.

“At Kroger, every day we want to surprise and delight our customers, and sometimes that goes a little above and beyond,” said John Votava, Director of Corporate Affairs for Kroger.

“To see my kids’ faces when they got to pick whatever cereal they wanted and whatever juices they wanted, and however many of whatever they wanted, I was like, OK, this is truly the experience of a lifetime,” Lindsey said.

“The cereal aisle really took me back to when I was a kid. The things that matter most, like being able to choose your own cereal, that’s awesome,” Garcia said.

Being able to feed her family without worry is what Lindsey is most thankful for.

“I’m just truly blessed, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. Words can’t even express how thankful I am,” she said.

Even after filling three carts with groceries, the family spent only $535, so Kroger sent them home with gift cards covering the remaining balance.