6th-Grader Makes a Difference

Gracie Burkhard, a sixth-grader at Harrison Middle School, went around her neighborhood when she heard about the Hoops for Hunger, which she has participated in for several years. Gracie has been asking her neighbors for non-perishable food items for her to take to school and donate for people who are in need.

Come rain or shine, Gracie takes her wagon and her brother, Parker, around the neighborhood asking for food items; some will donate money. Not only does she have the neighbor support – and the help of Parker – she  also has her mom, Katie, who helps by driving her where she needs to go and by taking the cash to the store to buy more food to donate. This year Gracie earned $150 in cash and donated 600 pounds of non-perishable food items.

Gracie is very humble and doesn’t want recognition for all her work, but as the Food Pantry, we want our community to know how hard she worked and how proud we are to have her in our midst as one who will likely be of our great leaders someday.

This young lady is amazing and it is touching to hear her reasoning that she is doing this because it makes her feel sad when she thinks of other people who go to bed hungry. When Gracie has the hunger pains she can go and eat, but others don’t have that luxury. This feeling is what gives Gracie her motivation. Gracie’s mom is very proud of all the work her daughter has done and will do in the future.

Our local Food Pantry cannot thank Gracie and Katie enough for all they have done, and all the others who help out our pantry monthly with donations, as well as all the volunteers who help in the pantry.

God bless all of them for the amazing work they are doing to feed our community. Any donations are appreciated and needed; call Elyse Jocham at 989-544-1791.

Compassion Counts Food Pantry