Mike Sullivan, like most coaches, isn't a big fan of surprises.
Not when he's on the job, anyway.
But Sullivan pulled off a pretty good one of his own Tuesday morning, when he covered the cost of groceries for shoppers at two Giant Eagle locations during the period set aside for those 60 and older, which is 6-7 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We have been so proud to see the generosity of the Pittsburgh community throughout this challenging time,” Sullivan said, in a statement released by the team. “My wife, Kate, and I wanted to do something for those at higher risk for the illness. We know that most seniors live on fixed incomes and have to worry more about getting out in general, so it is our hope that we were able to give them a little relief during a stressful time.”
The total cost of Sullivan's gesture at those two stores -- the Waterfront Giant Eagle and the South Hills Market District -- was not disclosed.
The team release said Sullivan and his wife asked officials of Giant Eagle, which is a team sponsor, to identify two stores with higher-than-normal foot traffic during the hours set aside for senior shoppers.