By MARK HALL
Feeding Team Feature
Ainsley isn’t your typical child. Like many kids, this fourth grader loves reading, chicken pot pies, anything colored purple, and Harry Potter.
But watch for a minute and you will see Ainsley also loves serving others.
According to her mom, Brianna, “Since age four, Ainsley’s birthdays have been about giving to causes that are important to her. Instead of asking for presents, she asks for support of the Humane Society, even receiving an award for her contributions.”
After learning about FeedingTeam.org, this enterprising nine-year-old set out to be a difference maker in the world. Determined to find a way to stock food in the pantries, Ainsley settled on a good, old-fashioned garage sale at their suburban Indianapolis area home.
Let the work begin. Working with Mom and Dad, sale items were identified, sorted, and organized. Signs were made to tell everyone about the garage sale raising money to purchase food to donate into the pantries. Pictures of all the items were listed for sale online with a couple of brilliant caveats:
First, if a customer purchased online, they had to stop by the in-person sale to pick up their items. Ainsley explained her strategy: “This was on purpose. We wanted them to buy more when they came to the garage sale.”
Next, she used best-offer pricing for the sale. When customers learned about Ainsley’s garage sale, offers were … well, shall we just say, a bit higher than what was expected. The grin on Ainsley’s face tells the story – people were impressed with her plan. Really impressed!
Photo provided
Fast forward after the garage sale, and let the math begin. With all the money she raised, how is it best used? How do we make every penny count? A trip to the grocery was followed by a purchase plan and then even more math. When the dust settled, 300 (yes, you read that right), 300 items were purchased, organized, and delivered into pantries in Fishers and Noblesville.
As you read this month’s column, hungry neighbors are being fed today because of the giving heart of this young lady. Ainsley’s 300 acts of kindness to her community cost her personal time, toys, clothing, and games. Her reward? The satisfaction of serving other people in her community. Our reward? An example of what it means to selflessly serve. Well done, and thank you, Ainsley for a lesson well taught. Thank you, Mom and Dad. This doesn’t happen if not for your hearts, too. We are so very thankful for neighbors stepping up to host, donate, stock, and organize pantries.
Please save the date for this year’s Food and Fundraiser, taking place from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville. With three bands, food trucks, a beer garden, and a bounce house, we are set to have a great time all while helping feed hungry neighbors. The price of admission is items for the pantries. Volunteers will be ready to take your donations.
Photo provided
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With over 27,000 food-challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides outdoor 24/7/365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout the county.
The pantries exist to meet the food insecurity needs of gap families, neighbors who may not qualify for public assistance and could use a few meals before payday. The pantries serve as many food-challenged neighbors as possible, and our hearts are with those who, like my family, could not always make ends meet.
Thank you for embracing the pantries. We love serving with so many neighbors across Hamilton County. In future columns, we will share more stories about how your generosity served neighbors in times of need. The face of hunger in Hamilton County is not what you may think.
In practical terms, this straightforward way to help neighbors is having real impact on lives, families, and our communities. Thank you. A few meals can change the course of a person’s life. A can of green beans means so much more when you have nothing to feed your kids.
Would you like to get involved? Volunteer opportunities are available. We are evaluating new pantry locations. If you think you have a potential location, please contact us.
Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1104.