A Massachusetts grocery store employee went above and beyond to assist a veteran in an act of kindness that has gone viral.
Briar Poirier, who has worked at the Market Basket in Oxford for eight years, describes himself on his Facebook page as an autistic man who loves music, knowledge, video gaming and compassion.
On Friday, Renee Falcioni, an emergency room nurse and frequent Market Basket customer, witnessed Poirier’s compassion when she was shopping at the store and saw Poirier pay for a veteran’s grocery bill. The man had used all of a $25 gift card and still owed $3.
“I was an aisle ahead of Briar and he was cashing out an elderly man who happened to be a veteran. And the veteran was short paying for his grocery bill and without hesitation, Briar took out his wallet and said, ‘I’ve got this,’” she told WBZ.
Poirier said to WBZ that he knew the man was a veteran because of the clothes he was wearing and wanted to thank him for his service.
“The gentleman had a couple basic necessities and looked like he was a little down on his luck and the man fought for our country, fought for our freedoms, our rights. It’s the least I could do for him,” Poirier said.
Falcioni shared the interaction on Facebook to realize that many others who have met Poirier received the same compassion.
“From what I’ve read on social media it’s not the first time that he’s done this. And he’s helped so many people,” she said.
Poirier credits his parents, telling WBZ, “My parents taught me that hard work, perseverance and just being kind to others can help accomplish a lot in the world.
“I’m hoping more people can help each other in times of need, whether you be a stranger or a friend. Just to make people’s day better.”
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