By Craig Anderson

WYOMING — When Ron Probst learned of a Dover woman’s struggles with poverty through a media article, he was quickly moved to help her.

Mr. Probst and his family gathered food and other necessities to present to Shamikia Ewell, who is raising five children as a single mother.

Ms. Ewell’s plight was detailed in a Daily State News story on March 17 that’s part of the Seeds of Need series designed to spotlight poverty challenges statewide.

Mr. Probst, of Magnolia, said he could relate to Ms. Ewell, who was working at a daycare for $12 hourly in 2023.

“When I read the story about her it hit home with me a little bit because I know what that’s like,” he said. “My father kind of raised all seven of us children by himself. My parents divorced when they were young.

“So how he did it I have no idea. He’s a man of faith and I heard him praying a lot.

“We had hamburger helper for dinner not steak and lobster. And we ate a lot of hot dogs.”

That good deed done, Mr. Probst read a story in the same publication on March 24 about Lorie Bolden of Wyoming. She has struggled for years to pay bills and buy enough food to maintain a good weight due to health issues and unemployment.

Along with his wife Heather and twin brother Don, Mr. Probst gathered food and water, paper towels and more to share with Ms. Ewell. He dropped the supplies off on Tuesday, along with a $100 Walmart gift card.

Even following a justifiably great act of humanity, Mr. Probst deflected any credit.

“I believe, for me, that you should have the heart of Christ in you,” said the physical education and health teacher at Central Delaware Christian Academy in Dover.

“I read Scripture and it talks about helping those who need help or assistance, where it’s food, water, shelter, anything.

“I’ve been praying about this for awhile but it’s not about me.

“It’s about my love of Christ and what he did when he walked and helped everybody, and I think more people should do that.

“And maybe from this, hopefully, more people will help out.”

At the time of delivery Tuesday, Ms. Bolden said she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the Probst family’s support.

“It seems sometimes people don’t care whether I’m exist,” she said. “I’m alone a lot but it’s nice to know there’s still people out there that do care.

“And like I’ve said, you get to the point where you just don’t know what to do anymore, but when someone reaches out like Mr. Probst and his family it’s an incredible thing.”

Following the story, another woman suggested that Ms. Bolden contact the Modern Maturity Center in Dover about its Meals on Wheels program.

Ms. Bolden was blessed by another generous soul who read the story - Florida resident Kim Gabler donated a $150 gift card while visiting family in the Dover area.

Again, Ms. Bolden noted Ms. Gabler extreme kindness and said, “You don’t realize there’s still good people out there .

“You really don’t because everybody is just going their own way and they’re trying to make it themselves.”