Dear Editor,

The kindness of strangers always takes me by surprise and leaves me feeling more connected to humanity at large.

Melissa Schmidt (I’m not even sure how to spell her last name, honestly, and we have never met in person) heard through the grapevine that I was hunting for wheat to grind fresh flour. I couldn’t seem to find anyone who carries wheat this time of year.

I wanted wheat so desperately that I was calling all over and bugging random people.

Melissa works for Landmark, but they don’t currently carry wheat for human consumption either. Undaunted, she located a store in another town and got me their phone number. But that wasn’t enough for Melissa. She picked up the wheat after it was purchased, drove it to Belleville, and had it hand-delivered to my house by Mike Duerst. 100 pounds of wheat for a woman she has never met. On her own time and gas. Just because.

Faith in humanity renewed. I can’t wait to pay it forward! And Melissa, if we ever meet in person, I’m giving you bread.

Sincerely,

Chelsea Balinski