Fry’s shoppers thankful for gift cards from Surprise Squad
Surprise Squad is sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Surveys show many Americans are still worried about their wallets. With inflation still an issue and sky-high prices for some items, Ian Schwartz and Arizona’s Family Surprise Squad went to the Fry’s Mercado store at 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road.
He had five $200 gift cards courtesy of the Valley Toyota Dealers that he wanted to give away to unsuspecting shoppers.
He found a woman in the produce department facetiming with her daughter. He asked the mom if she had ever heard of the Surprise Squad. She told him it was a program that surprises shoppers.
“You’re in a grocery store right now,” Ian noted. “And you’re about to get a surprise.”
He handed the woman one of the gift cards, and she couldn’t believe her luck. She says she never thought the team would come to this store.
The shopper explained that she lives with her daughter and four grandchildren. She said she likes to buy snacks to donate to their school.
Touched by her generosity, Ian handed her a second gift card. You could see the emotions wash across her face as she shared the news with her daughter, who was still on the phone.
“Aww, you deserve it, Mom,” the daughter said, smiling.
Ian moved on and found a woman named Rebecca pushing a shopping cart overflowing with items. She said making ends meet can be challenging because she supports a large family. When Ian handed her one of the gift cards, she smiled and said it would certainly help cover the grocery bill.
The following people Ian stopped was a family at self-checkout. He gave the mother one of the gift cards and asked how it would help out. She pointed to her teenage son next to her and said she had two other teens at home with large appetites.
Ian wrapped up the segment by giving his last gift card to a grateful gentleman in a wheelchair.
“We are helping folks out all courtesy of your Valley Toyota Dealers,” Ian said with a smile. “I love this job.”
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