Kids were picked up later than usual because the school was delayed due to bad weather. The driver had made a pit stop before his route that the parents didn’t know about.
Wayne Price is a familiar face in the Montevallo community.
The kindhearted man worked as a contractor for many years before closing his company to serve with the Youth Ministry.
He became a beloved mentor to many of the kids after he started driving a school bus. Price has grown close enough to the kids to know how certain things will affect their day.
On the morning of December 11th, Price received a phone call saying that schools would be closed for two hours because of bad weather.
Many kids in Montevallo might not get to eat because of the shortened school day.
Two-thirds of the kids at Montevallo Elementary School are low-income students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program.
Most of the kids would go hungry if the school was closed in the morning.
Allison Campbell, Principal of Montevallo Elementary, told TODAY:
“For a lot of students that means that they won’t get to eat.”
“It speaks volumes to [Price’s] character that he was attuned to that.”
Price came up with a plan when he realized the implications for his students. He bought himself a breakfast sandwich and others for every child on his bus.
“When I got to the McDonald’s, I asked the manager, ‘Can you turn around 50 biscuits in 15 minutes and can you give me as good of a deal as possible?’”
Every student was given a free breakfast after Price walked out with a box of sandwiches. “When the kids got on I said, ‘So, what do ya want? Sausage? McMuffin?” he told TODAY with a laugh.
“I just love my kids. I got a lot of fist bumps, lots of high-fives, lots of ‘Love you, Mr. Price,’ lots of ‘Thank you, Mr. Price.’”
The story was shared on the school’s Facebook page.
“Mr. Price, one of our bus drivers, truly demonstrates the spirit of Christmas!” they wrote. “On Tuesday, when school was delayed due to icy roads, and we weren’t able to serve breakfast, he purchased biscuits from McDonald’s for his entire bus of students. What a kind act that our students will forever remember!”
“Thank you, Mr. Price, for making a lasting impact in the lives of our students!”
The residents from the community said that this act of kindness is not out of the ordinary for Price.
Derek Wilson wrote: “Anyone who knows Way Price would know that this isn’t a random moment. In the almost 20 years of knowing him, I’ve seen this man give so much of himself to his community.” Sheila Brown Barrow added: “I have known Wayne and his family for many years and he did not do this for notoriety. He did it because he cares for kids.”
Let’s give a shoutout to Mr. Wayne Price. The world could use more kindhearted actions like his.