Tow Truck Driver Helps Volunteers Finish Grocery Deliveries

A mechanical breakdown turned into a beautiful moment when a tow truck driver went beyond the call of duty to help Minneapolis volunteers complete their mission.

Tony Mann and Jim Joyce were delivering groceries last Friday in St. Paul when a rock lodged in their brake system. The pair volunteer with Dios Habla Hoy Church in south Minneapolis, bringing food to families affected by recent immigration enforcement actions.

When tow truck driver Eric Dahl arrived, he learned the volunteers had perishable groceries in the car for families waiting at home. Without hesitation, he made an unusual decision.

"We need more good in the world than what we have," Dahl said. "Really, I didn't have to think about it. It was just the right thing to do."

With the broken-down car hooked to his tow truck, Dahl drove Mann and Joyce to complete their final three deliveries. The unusual sight turned heads as residents watched volunteers unload groceries from behind a tow truck.

"We were both surprised and pleased that he would do that," Joyce said. "People were looking at us like, what is going on here?"

The volunteers' work has become vital for their community. Over recent months, they've delivered millions of pounds of groceries to thousands of families, many of whom are immigrants afraid to leave their homes.

"Maybe people have forgotten, but it's actually still happening," Mann said about the ongoing fear in their community.

Sunny's Take

This story captures something special about everyday kindness. Dahl helps stranded motorists for a living, but this call was different. He saw people trying to help others and chose to become part of that chain of compassion. His willingness to turn a routine tow job into something meaningful shows how small acts can support much bigger missions. The volunteers get food to families who need it. Dahl made sure one broken brake didn't break that promise.

After completing the deliveries, Dahl took the car to a garage for repairs. He admits this particular tow job will stick with him.

"I don't know if I'll run into that again," Dahl said. "It's very interesting."

Sometimes the best stories happen when ordinary people face a simple choice and choose kindness.