Violet Shouse of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a little girl with a huge heart. She may only be 4 years old, but she is compassionate beyond her years, especially when it comes to people in need.
In November, she held a weekend bake sale and managed to raise hundreds of dollars! Even more impressive, she didn’t keep a penny of it for herself.
Giving comes naturally to Violet, as her family volunteers with their church’s food ministry, Community Resource Bank.
One day, the little girl saw a stranger asking for money. Confused, she turned to her mom Berkeley and asked why. “I explained that she didn’t have food or a home,” Berkeley said.
Violet wanted to help the woman and other people in her situation, so in October, she baked and sold rainbow focaccia bread to raise money for their local food bank. Not only did she help buy 10 pounds of chicken for hungry families, but she was also recognized in the Kennedy Center’s Small Works Project for her act of kindness!
Then, in November, she set her sights even higher by selling baked goods from her driveway.
After raising a total of $625, Violet placed the money in an envelope and took it to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, where she handed it to CEO Lori Long.
According to Long, the donation will pay for more than 2,400 meals!
It couldn’t have come at a better time. With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, so has the need for food. That’s why Long was especially touched by Violet’s generosity.
“The work she put in and wanting to come down and present it in person with her handwritten envelope is very special,” Long said.
Talk about a giving spirit! There will be many families with full bellies this holiday season thanks to Violet.
Share this story to raise awareness and help tackle hunger. You can donate to the food bank here or volunteer locally to support your community.
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