It was a simple act of kindness that one Port Byron family says turned their luck around. A complete stranger paid for their meal.
On most nights you'll find Kristina Rankins in the kitchen making dinner for her family. Going out to eat is a luxury for them.
"We're a family of five who lives paycheck by paycheck," said Rankins.
However this past week was a rough one, over the weekend they had to deal with a death in their family and her three kids weren't feeling the best.
"For a little over a week all three of our kids have been fighting a severe viral infection," said Rankins.
After the long week filled with several trips to the doctor, they decided they would use some of their money to take their minds off of things. They went out to eat at The New Mandarin Chinese Restaurant in Moline. Inside was just the five of them and another man.
"Once he paid for his check he left," said Rankins.
A few minutes later Rankins asked for her check. The waiter informed her that the man had paid for their meal. She went outside to see if the man was still there, but he was gone.
"That small act of kindness meant so much to a family," said Rankins.
She's now giving thanks to the man who she says turned her family's week around.
"To know that you don't know that person's story and you don't know what they've been through and that simple act of kindness may be exactly what they needed at their point of time in their life."
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