An 8-year-old boy from Chicago, Alex Anning, chose to forgo a traditional party with cake and balloons for his upcoming birthday. Instead, he channeled his energy into organizing a food drive to help those facing hardship.
Before his birthday on October 2, Anning’s home in Tinley Park resembled a grocery store, according to his mother, Kymbria Young. Young explained that Alex’s desire to change his birthday plans and give back was sparked after he saw a man experiencing homelessness.
“The light turned green, so we had to drive off and weren’t able to give him money. So, Alex was really distraught,” Young told WBBM.
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Following an emotional moment, eight-year-old Alex decided his new birthday wish was to organize a food drive for people in need. Collaborating with his mother’s nonprofit, Season to Soar, his goal was to provide free groceries to over 150 neighbors on October 1.
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“We just grab the food and put them in the bag. As many as we can,” Alex said. “The more stuff you put in the bags, the more heavy the stuff gets.”
For his recent birthday, he decided to skip the usual celebration and instead focus on giving back, kicking off a special ‘give back’ initiative. He explained that this wasn’t just about helping the community; it was a win-win situation. Not only would it address immediate local needs, but it would also play a big part in looking after the local environment.
“I’m super proud of him,” Young said. “To see that my son is giving and leading change by serving the community is just so inspiring for me, and I hope that it inspires others as well.”
It’s clear that Alex and his cousins are learning the joy of giving, as he’s already planning to host another food drive for his next birthday.
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Alex’s inspiring initiative comes at a critical time, as recent federal SNAP cuts are expected to increase food insecurity for millions of Americans, according to the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. With reduced access to food assistance, many families will be forced to rely more heavily on community support and local food banks.
This makes Alex’s effort, and others like it, all the more vital in bridging the gap and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to the resources they need. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is facing large-scale cuts that will affect who is eligible for SNAP and how much they can receive, per the Harvard School of Public Health.
Studies show that SNAP reduces food insecurity and helps families avoid impossible choices. The recent cuts to SNAP could increase the number of people experiencing food insecurity.
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