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A devastating Texas flood reopened old wounds. The community’s kindness, and resilience, is helping them heal again
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 20, 2026
· 12 min read
By Alaa Elassar, CNN
(CNN) — Months after moving to Kerrville, Texas, John Melendrez stood in a neighborhood deli with a sandwich he just realized he couldn’t pay for. His only credit card was declined, and as he apologized to the owner, Chong Chin, embarrassment washed over him.
The two men ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway His only credit card was declined, and as he apologized to the owner, Chong Chin, embarrassment washed over him.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The devastating floods in Kerrville, Texas, have a somber resonance in El Paso, where community resilience is a familiar theme. As the people of Kerrville come together to support each other, El Pasoans can relate to the outpouring of kindness and generosity. The story of John Melendrez and Chong Chin, two men brought together by a small act of kindness, is a powerful reminder of the human connections that can help heal old wounds. In El Paso, where community events and public safety are often intertwined, the impact of natural disasters on local families and businesses is a pressing concern. As the city continues to grow and develop, the importance of neighborhood support and volunteerism will only continue to grow, and the people of Kerrville are a testament to the difference that can be made when communities come together in the face of adversity.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 12 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Alaa Elassar, CNN
(CNN) — Months after moving to Kerrville, Texas, John Melendrez stood in a neighborhood deli with a sandwich he just realized he couldn’t pay for. His only credit card was declined, and as he apologized to the owner, Chong Chin, embarrassment washed over him.
The two men ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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