Phoebe Russell: How A Six-Year-Old Girl Raised $20,000 For A Local Food Bank

The average American preschool doesn't focus on community service, but for San Francisco girl Phoebe Russell, a community service requirement at her preschool was exactly the encouragement she needed to make a huge difference for the hungry in her community.

At the age of five, Phoebe set her sights on raising $1,000 for a local food bank by collecting cans and redeeming them for cash. Now, a year later she is responsible for over $20,000 worth of contributions to the San Francisco Food Bank. But, how?

After reaching out to family and friends to help her and being featured on the internet, Phoebe's crusade gained momentum with almost $4,000 worth of donations last year. Today, Tyson Foods has joined Phoebe's mission, by donating 30,000 pounds of chicken to the San Francisco Food Bank. All told, Phoebe has helped raise approximately $20,000 in cash and food donations -- and she's not stopping there. The six-year-old plans to keep her project ongoing, continuing to supply San Francisco's hungry with nourishing meals.

WATCH:

Comments

[Toan Lam]

10:59 AM on 03/21/2010

Thanks for sharing!

Find out how this 6-year-old has taught me to be a better adult.

In the spirit of service,
Toan Lam
Creator, Go Inspire Go.com

http://goinspirego.blogspot.com/

[blinkthink]

10:26 AM on 03/21/2010

At times people say they can't make a difference and throw up their hands in a moment of despair. We can take a lesson from this determined little girl. It is all about what we do for others, our humanity and our exceptionalism rests in it.

[padrushka]

06:38 AM on 03/21/2010

parents who endorse and support kids instincts for humanitarian efforts, also rocks.

[javajava]

03:10 PM on 03/25/2010

Yes. When ever I see stories about giving children I always think of parents. We ought ot be an example to children and live our lives showing charity and compassion. I sooo agree about parental support.

[RJamMc]

04:44 AM on 03/21/2010

Wow! I am inspired

[LanceThruster]

04:40 PM on 03/20/2010

There is supposedly a stat that conservatives rank higher on individual charitable giving, but I've always questioned the orgs that qualify for that stat to exist. Scam mega-churches, tax- dodge outfits, and political hategroups aside, I'd be curious as to the extent of the charitable giving in cases where it is based solely on a need and not for promoting a particular agenda.

I have a friend who would rail against/vote against any social or health care program, but would feel saintly because his charitable org (created to honor his late father) replaced a bicycle stolen from a special needs kid (got lots of glowing media coverage). A noble act, yet he still would work against a safety net for other people in similar situations.

He could learn something profound from Phoebe Russell (as we all could). She has already learned what the greatest lesson was at the end of James Burke's "Connections" series. He said, "Ask yourself what things in this world would you like to see changed, and then set about changing them."

[flashnomad]

07:13 AM on 03/19/2010

Check this story about a young woman and mother who has inspired a group of baby-boomer guerilla activists to go ape on social media to raise the money to save one of their daughters wrongly sentenced to up to life imprisonment.

Save Ayana/MiraclesHappen: http://sn.im/uxgb8

Just shows we don't have to be a kid or cute to contribute to social justice! You can, too!

[20yearnavyvet]

04:40 AM on 03/19/2010

Oh no! She's a little social activist! A tiny community orgainzer in the making! Someone call Faux news quick! She might be going to church and listening to her pastor speak about caring for those less fortunate! Oh no! What has this country become???

[padrushka]

06:36 AM on 03/21/2010

uh oh, glenn where are you social justice??

[SuiginTou7]

02:40 AM on 03/19/2010

Phoebe, You are so needed these days...

[Jesse Taylor]

02:24 AM on 03/19/2010

Right on.

[lisalovesamelie]

10:33 PM on 03/18/2010

This little kid rocks!

[vote independent]

09:02 PM on 03/18/2010

If WyClef has taught us anything... You take the money and run now!

[Daniela Smith]

08:16 PM on 03/18/2010

What a heartwarming story! More children should get involved in their community and those less fortunate like this lovely little girl!