Local group of kids fundraise for Shelburne Food Bank

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When a group of local children realized the holiday season would once again be a struggle for many families in the community, they decided to take fundraising efforts into their own hands – one bottle at a time. 

Last Wednesday (Dec. 8), Kayley and Payton Glagow, Ellis and Ava Boyle, Nixon and Sutton Evy, Hunter and Oliver Kinsley, and Blake and Oaklynn Conner donated a total of $600 to the Shelburne Food Bank, Shepherd's Cupboard. The money was raised through an empty bottles collection. 

“Their goal was to pay forward some happiness this holiday season to people who maybe didn't have the opportunity or weren't as privileged,” explained Lisa Hutchinson-Conner, mother of Blake and Oaklynn, to the Free Press.

Over the last month the group of ten, who range from 9 years-old to as young as 15 months, collected empty bottles for return from friends, family members, and neighbours as a way to raise the donation money. 

“It was all around a community involvement of everyone wanting the help these little ones do a big deed,” said Hutchinson-Conner. 

According to Hutchinson-Conner the children were able to return between 30 and 40 garage bags full of crushed empties. 

“We wanted them to really recognize how important it is to give to others,” said Hutchinson. “Speaking on behalf of all the moms, we're beyond proud of them. They were interested, and excited to ask for and pick up their weekly collections. We were proud to see them putting in the effort and recognizing how much work it was and at the end of the day they were able to give back.” 

On the day of the donation, the children visited the Shelburne Food Bank and toured the facility, which Hutchinson-Conner said gave them an idea of the impact of their donation.  

“They were able to see the hampers all filled up and recognized that their money contributed to that,” she said. 

With the success of this year's fundraising effort, the group of children are hoping to do another donation initiative come next year with the goal of giving a Christmas to a local family.