It was last summer that Fayetteville resident Andrew Fleming held his first fundraiser to help kids in need. Seven-year-old Andrew was at it again May 10 with his most recent idea, the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive in conjunction with the Fayette Samaritans organization.
Andrew as a 6-year-old spearheaded the fundraiser for Fayette Youth Protection Homes (now known as Bloom). This motivated youngster who attends Landmark Christian School followed up that effort last weekend with the Stamp Out Hunger food drive held at the Fayette Samaritans campus on Hickory Road.
“Andrew wanted to provide for kids that are hungry and he chose our organization. We’re delighted that somebody that young would take an interest and want to help,” said Fayette Samaritan President Linda Ladd.
“Kids have to have a good meal because everybody needs food to live,” Andrew said.
Andrew’s mother LaKeisha provided some insight into Andrew’s mission and his organization known as “Andrew’s Fun and Helpful Community.”
“Andrew says no child should go to bed hungry,” said LaKeisha. “And thanks to a Sodexo Foundation Youth Grant, he’s going to do his best to see that it doesn’t happen. He was awarded the grant through YSA (Youth Service America). The grant will support Andrew in leading a community service project that addresses the issue of childhood hunger.”
The May 10 family community event featured a balloon artist, games, information about fighting hunger in Georgia and the opportunity to help one less child go without food. One non-perishable item per person was required for admission to the food drive event and a prize was awarded to the person who brought the most items.
LaKeisha said 100 grants were awarded to youth-led projects that aim to reduce childhood hunger in local communities throughout America. Grantees educate and mobilize their peers around the issue, creating solutions to end childhood hunger. Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants empower young people as problem-solvers working to improve the well-being and quality of life for their generation, she said.
“As communities are challenged by the reduction in public resources, it makes our vision of a hunger-free America more difficult to attain,” said Sodexo Foundation Chairman Robert Stern. “Each Sodexo Foundation Youth Grantee is doing their part to tackle an issue that directly affects one in five of their peers. It will be through their actions and ingenuity that we will one day see an end to childhood hunger in America.”
