“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

This famous quote from beloved American children’s television personality always comes out when times are tough, and decades later, it still rings true.

Sometimes it can seem as though a crisis – like the one we are facing right now with the COVID-19 pandemic – can bring out the worst in people, but if you pay attention, you’ll see people who are doing their utmost to make life more bearable for others, even when they might be struggling themselves.

One shining example of this has been the staff at the Tallangatta Bakery in Victoria, who posted a picture to their Instagram account earlier this week of a stand of bread loaves outside their little shopfront.

A stand of bread outside a bakery may be as ordinary as mud, but it was the handwritten chalkboard sign next to the stand that tells the story of their kindness.

“We are here for families in need during this difficult time,” the sign read.

“Feel free to take a loaf.

“We are in this together.”

Owners Brad and Mandy Crispin said they’d rather give the bread away than throw it away, and their following of loyal customers wholly approved of their generous gesture.

“What a year it has been so far and you have been there for the community throughout it all. Great effort again Mandy and Brad,” a commenter wrote under the post.

Even more remarkable is that the pair has remained so generous despite facing many hardships themselves, first as a result of the bushfires that tore through Australia earlier this year, and now with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing them to reduce trading hours.

“Unfortunately we have had to make the hard decision of closing Sundays due to this current outbreak, we will not be opening back up on Sundays until further notice,” they informed their community on March 28.

“We hope you respect this hard decision and we are thankful we have a very supportive community throughout this time.”