It's never OK to just ignore someone in need

An elderly couple was stalled at the far end of the Stop & Shop soup aisle. They clearly were struggling with an "issue" — one was teetering, the other stymied about what to do.

A small crowd had gathered, albeit a safe distance away. And watched. And a few more watched on, seemingly waiting to get past the traffic jam.

I walked up and asked if they needed help.

"Oh, yes, thank you!" the woman replied.

I left my cart and slowly escorted the couple down the aisle and out to their car, the gentleman leaning on my arm with his every labored and considered step. His concerned wife was equally worried about getting him into their car and what to do about their unpaid groceries.

"Not to worry," I said. The man needed the cart for stability. I helped them both navigate to the exit, picking up an assistant, an eager Stop & Shop employee, along the way. "Don't worry about the groceries," she said. "Let's get you safe."

We did.

"Thank you," the woman said when we reached the car and placed her husband safely in his seat. "We had been there a long time — and nobody helped."

Next time, don't watch. Just do.