Torrance family’s scramble for holiday meal finds generosity at local Sprouts store

Jane Mateik knew canceling plans to attend her sister’s large Thanksgiving gathering in Lomita was the right thing to do.

Husband Dan, who is battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, said he just didn’t feel up to facing a big crowd.

So, the Torrance residents planned a more low-key holiday with just a son and daughter-in-law.

But Jane Mateik didn’t have any food in the house — nor the energy to cook it if she did.

“The stress that I’ve been under is overwhelming,” she told me via phone on Friday.

Dan, a U.S. Navy veteran, was diagnosed with one of cancer’s deadliest forms in October of 2022. For the last year, Jane has seen Dan through various forms of treatment, including chemotherapy.

So, just two days before the biggest feast of the year in the U.S., Jane went hunting on the internet for Thanksgiving meals. It seemed there were no pre-made turkey dinners to be had in the entire South Bay.

There was one possibility. A Sprouts market in Torrance looked as if it had one meal remaining, Jane said. Only, she couldn’t click it or add it to her online shopping cart.

So, Jane called.

Gabi, the store manager from Sprouts on Pacific Coast Highway and Anza, picked up.

But, alas, that meal for four had already been sold, Gabi told Jane.

Jane pleaded.

“Isn’t there anything we can put together?,” she asked Gabi.

She explained Dan has a feeding port in his chest where he gets most of his nutrition. He doesn’t eat much else. Could they figure out something?

After talking to her boss, Gabi called Jane back that Tuesday. When did she want to pick up her meal?

When Jane arrived Thursday morning, she was greeted by Gabi and two other Sprouts employees. They presented her with a Sprouts box complete with turkey, stuffing, rolls, sparkling cider, blueberry pie — even an appetizer shrimp platter.

“We heard your story,” they told Jane. “And we wanted to do this for you.”

Included with the holiday meal was a holiday card — signed with heartfelt wishes by every store employee.

And, Jane said, they wouldn’t take payment.

“In today’s world with everything that is happening, it’s just incredible that someone went out of their way to do this for our family,” said Jane.

When Dan read the card, Jane said, he cried and commented “this is a keeper.”

The generosity of Sprouts employees’ spirit also awakened Dan’s appetite, Jane noted.

He ate green beans, shrimp and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving — which is amazing for him, she said.

As the four family members gathered around their turkey and trimmings, they gave thanks for the kindness of strangers who took so many steps to make their Thanksgiving special.