A truck full of frozen fries turned into something much more meaningful this week in Winkler, as residents were reminded that kindness can be contagious.
On Tuesday afternoon, the parking lot at Central Station and the Winkler Food Cupboard was buzzing — not with the usual hustle and bustle, but with a steady stream of cars driving through to pick up two free bags of frozen fries. The catch? One bag was for you, and the other was for you to give away.
The initiative, part of Pay It Forward May, was powered by community spirit and inspired by support from the Winkler Community Foundation. But according to organizers, the day wasn’t about the host organizations — it was about sparking generosity in everyday life.
Kindness in motion
“Today is more than about free potatoes,” said Krista Rempel, Impact Director at Central Station. “It’s about acts of kindness. It’s about getting the wheels of kindness in motion.”
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., cars rolled through to collect their bags of fries or wedges, each driver encouraged to think of someone they could bless — a neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger in need of a little joy.
For Rempel, the idea of paying it forward is personal.
“A couple of years ago, I got sick and was off work for a while,” she recalled. “When I came back, I opened my office door and it was full of farm animals — toy ones! My coworkers knew I loved animals and wanted to cheer me up. That little surprise meant the world.”
A season of giving — and receiving
For Julie Nickel, an unexpected moment at a gas station left a lasting impact.
“There was a young man who came up to me while I was filling up my car,” she said. “He told me he wanted to pay for my gas. I was shocked. He just said, ‘I’m celebrating spring today. I want to do something kind.’ It came at a time when things were financially tough, and it blew me away.”
Stories like Julie’s are exactly what Pay It Forward May is all about — letting a simple act brighten someone’s day and inspire more in return.
Big Meaning in Small Gestures
Esther Zacharias, Community Development Coordinator, reminded people that the most meaningful kindness isn’t always the grandest.
“It’s the small things — someone offering to cover your schoolyard duty when you’re overwhelmed, or someone saying, ‘I’ll bring you lunch tomorrow,’” she said. “It’s about someone noticing, caring, and doing something about it.”
Welcoming Kindness, One Smile at a Time
For people new to Winkler, even the smallest gestures make a big difference. Terence, a recent arrival to the area, said it was the everyday kindness that helped him feel at home.
“I noticed right away — people here wave you in, buy you coffee in the drive-thru, ask if you need help with groceries,” he said. “It’s infectious. If you receive kindness, you want to pass it on. It gives you a sense that you belong.”
That sense of belonging is exactly what Pay It Forward May is meant to nurture — not just through potatoes or fries, but through human connection.
It’s Not About the Fries
While the sight of a truckload of frozen fries is sure to make anyone smile, the real takeaway from the day was the stories — the memories of being seen, valued, and cared for. And the reminder that each of us has the power to make someone else feel that way.
Whether it’s a shared lunch, a kind word, or a bag of fries left on someone’s doorstep — kindness, when paid forward, can ripple through a whole community.