Last week, I ran into the grocery store for a few things I needed and was cruising down the aisle when I passed a mother with two little girls. I’m guessing they were about 4 and 6 years old. I don’t normally find myself critiquing people’s clothing, but I noticed that the girls’ clothes were obviously worn, but clean. It’s not odd to find unusual characters in the discount grocery store I shop at (yes, I shop at a discount grocery store), but this little family got my attention. They were standing near the snack cake section as the mother was diligently figuring her total on a calculator – not a smart phone, a calculator, which I also found odd. As I was scanning over the juice section I heard one little girl ask her mom, “Mama, can we get some oatmeal pies this time?” Her mother replied, “Baby, I’m just not sure we can afford it… but put them in the basket and we’ll see.” The comment provoked a request from the smaller girl… “Ooooo, Mama, if we get to get prizes this trip can I please have some chocolate syrup,” she asked. “You know how much I love chocolate milk, Mama!” Her mother replied, “Okay, sweetheart. Get some and we’ll see.”
I got my juice and went along my way grabbing things from each aisle – marking things off my list. I passed the sweet little family several times and exchanged smiles as I watched her diligently choosing her groceries. Turning the corner and finding a place in the line at the register, I ended up right behind the mother and her two girls. She carefully placed her items on the belt – eggs, canned biscuits, oranges, bagged salad, some frozen veggies, meat, etc – but held the oatmeal cream pies and chocolate syrup as the very last things to go on the belt. With anxious anticipation on her girl’s faces, I watched as they seemed to keep a running total in their heads. It was obvious they knew there was a chance that they would not have enough money to get their treats. They had been here before. As the cashier rang up the last item before their girls’ items, their mother asked the cashier for a total. “$35.80” she said. I saw the utter defeat in their mother’s face as she turned to her babies and said, “Y’all, I’m sorry. We just don’t have enough this trip.” Maybe next time,” she said. The girls’ looks of excitement turned to disappointment, but I could tell, again, they had been here before. The cashier sat the snack cakes and syrup aside and bagged the other groceries. The mother paid for her groceries with her EBT card and placed them in her cart. The two girls trailed along as they left. Getting up to the cashier I asked if she would hand me those cakes and that chocolate syrup. There was no one in line behind me, so I asked if she could hold my other stuff for just a moment. I paid for the girls’ goodies and raced out to meet their mother at the cart corral. I handed her the bag and said, “I want your girls to have this.” “I know things are tight and I want you to know that it will get better. Sometimes it seems like it won’t but it will, I promise,” I said. “It wasn’t too many years ago that I was in your shoes. Basic necessities were all we had money for, so I know,” I said. She seemed a bit embarrassed. “Things are so hard for us right now – around Christmas, you know,” she said. I nodded. “I know. I’ve been there,” I said. “But keep your head up. You’re doing the right thing for your girls,” I told her. “Thank you,” she said. “Merry Christmas,” I said.
You know, our world is one that is hurting. The tense social and political climates have us being nothing but critical of one another. So many times I hear folks being negative of our public assistance programs and their recipients. Are there people who abuse the system? Of course. Is the system broken? Yes. I’ve seen it first hand – in that very same store. A woman with a Coach purse will pay for her crab legs and steaks with her EBT card and then walk out to get in her brand new $50K vehicle. But, then you see people like this sweet mother and her two girls who are doing things right. They are obviously relying on the assistance they get to survive. She was buying basics – things she HAD to have.
Do me a favor? Make an effort to see the good in folks this holiday season. We all have our struggles. We all are fighting something. And when the world has turned you cold, try to be better than that. Know the joy of helping someone who can do nothing for you. Offer a random act of kindness. Donate to a food pantry. Help a neighbor. Invite someone who is lonely to your holiday celebration.
We all need reminders every now and then. The mama and her girls were my reminder. This is yours.
I just love making chocolate covered peanut butter balls for the holidays, but they take so long. And there’s all the chocolate dipping mess. Don’t get me wrong, I do it. And I love it. But sometimes I just want something easy. This is easy. This recipe has all the great flavor of chocolate peanut butter balls in a convenient bar that literally takes about 20 minutes to make. Try them and see just how easy that can be! Y’all enjoy!
Recipe Card
Peanut Butter Ball Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter crunchy or smooth
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, combine the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the graham cracker crumbs and mix well. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. A soft dough will form. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. In another bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave using 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval. Microwave until the chips are nearly melted but not all the way, then stir until they melt the rest of the way to prevent them from being scorched. Spread the chocolate on top and allow to cool completely or place in the refrigerator to cool faster. Once the chocolate is firm, lift the foil out of the pan and peel it away from the bars. Slice into 1 inch squares and store in an airtight container.
Please note:
If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
I made these today and they were great! The only thing I would do differently next time is to add some heavy cream to the chocolate to make them easier to cut. The chocolate layer was so firm that it crushed the peanut butter layer when I tried to cut them. I turned it upside down and sliced through the peanut butter layer into the chocolate layer and that helped but the chocolate still crumbled a bit. My grandsons didn’t want to stop eating them!
I know that was frustrating, but way to get creative with it. Did you have to refrigerate them?
I did, but just long enough for the chocolate to cool. I think the flavor is better at room temperature.
You know, this hits different in 2023. I assumed the message of this story was that the EBT Mom should have known that it costs less to make it from scratch. And we all know just how disgusting it could get these days.
No, that’s not it at all. When we’re talking about things like chocolate syrup and oatmeal cream pies, those things couldn’t have added up to much more than $5. My point was more about the fact that we all struggle and have to make tough decisions for our families. The Lord put me in a spot to be able to help that family and put a smile on those little girls faces. The post was about simple finding ways to help others.
I am sitting here in 2020 just llooking for a simple recipe and read your story. Tears streaming down my face because I was there before too! I know now it will get better because it did. Thank you for reminding where I was and where I am now. I will definitely make this recipe tonight and remember your story!
It does get better! And sharing your story will prove just that to many others. Thanks, Niki. Merry Christmas, friend!
Made this for Christmas and my family loved it. Especially my sister, she said they reminded her of peanut butter balls from elementary school. Will absolutely make again!
Awesome! So glad everyone enjoyed them!!
So well said, Stacey! I shop this store too-
Thank you for your open eyes and caring heart ♥️
🙂
Thank you for this. God bless your wonderful heart!
🙂
I had. Girlfriend whose mom used to make something like this with Frosted Flakes and corn syrup? Anyone know that recipe? I loved them!
God bless you Stacey for your kind and loving heart.
Thanks, Mary Jo. 🙂
Love love love this recipe…certainly am wondering…WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT??? Pinning! Thanks so much for all you do, for all you are. What a sweet blessing!
Merry Christmas to you and your family,Thank you for that store I know how that ladies felt.
Does using that much powdered sugar make the bars really sweet?
It’s a dessert, so it’s sweet, but I don’t think it’s too sweet. Especially being that you use semi-sweet chocolate.
Stacey,
This is a very good story. May the good Lord bless & keep you.
Merry Christmas
D
Thanks so much, Debra! Merry Christmas!
What a lovely story, may God bless you in abundance.
I love your recipes but this was just so touching i just had to comment on how touched i was by this beautiful gesture.
A very Merry Christmas to you, and thank you, hugs and blessings.
Thanks, Mary! You too!
This made me teary-eyed. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing this story! 🙂
It’s my pleasure!
Thank you for reminding me of how far I’ve come! I was that young mom with 3 small kids and a calculator. I’m now able to feed my family and give to others by couponing. We who have been there can truly relate! Bless you for your kindness.
Yes! We all need a little reminder every now and again! Merry Christmas!
loved this thank you for your kindness !! this is something i do all year every year due to the political arena not being calm we have taken a hit on our finances but i still help those in need
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This is just what we should be doing. It’s what Jesus did. The Scriptures tell us “When you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me”. Thank you for the Christmas blessing. Love your recipes!
So true! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this story. It gave me chills.
Beth
Merry Christmas, Beth! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this story – – what a sweet thing to do, and thank you for reminding us of the meaning of the season. From your story I will pay it forward … Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Jane!
Thanks for the good thought for the day. You brought a tear to my eyes with your heartwarming story. And, thank you for being so kind. Just as you mentioned, “you’ve been there,” well, so have I, and I think a lot of us have. It’s the act of kindness and little things that help get us through in life. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful Christmas story. May God bless you and your family. Love the stories and recipes. Keep ’em coming!!
Merry Christmas, Tina!
Can you spell C-H-R-I-S-T m-a-s? Blessings to you and yours.
Your story touched my heart and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. I enjoy your website and cookbook very much.
Thanks so much, Kate! Merry Christmas!
You just put another star in your crown with that unselfish act. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
It’s my pleasure, Virginia! I just hope it will encourage others to give when they can.
Your parents raised a fine young man! If each of us keeps this lesson in mind and follows your example our world would be better place!
You’re so sweet! Merry Christmas, my dear friend!
This story gave me the chills.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We all need reminders now and then of how we can impact our world for the good.
I have never commented before, but this was just so touching.
Thank you.
Don’t we? I agree! Thanks for you comment, Megan! I look forward to many more!
Oh Stacey, you are certainly pulling at my heart strings today! Exactly one year ago our family faced our hardest battle yet. My husband had a heart attack and in that instant our life changed. Being the soul breadwinner of our family, it was devastating. We leaned on so many people to help us stay afloat. No insurance, no income, and Christmas was only weeks away. We relied on our faith and our many wonderful friends and family. My kids were able to stay in our home and were well fed. Without that help, we would be homeless! We have walked this long road all year and it has not been easy but we are not the same people we were before the heart attack. We learned so much in those 12 months that we will take with us throughout our lives. I would have done the exact same thing as you did for that wonderful family. You made such a huge impact for that family more than you realize. Those sweet girls will remember your kindness as well as that mother. God placed you in their path for a reason. Oh how I wish we had more Stacey Little’s in this world! We would all be in a much better place.
🙂 Merry Christmas!!!
What a beautiful post Melissa. How inspiring to know of stories like yours and the one Stacey shared…heart warming. Makes me want to go out and find someone to bless. Thanks to both of you for sharing!