7th grader raising money for the Calgary Food Bank
Ella Altvater is 12 years old and wanted to make a difference this Christmas. So she took her babysitting money along with her allowance and purchased a number of items for kids and made up a Christmas 'fun bag'.
She's selling them for $10 and each bag has 14 items like stickers, a pencil and eraser, crafts, book marks, playdough, a light up ring, snap bracelets and a candy cane.
Ella researched local charities looking for one that she could connect with and learned a lot about the Calgary Food Bank.
"I found that 40 per cent of the people that use the food bank are kids," said Ella. "And I feel bad knowing that not everybody gets to go to bed with a full stomach."
Ella and her mom Yvette King set a goal of $200 to donate to the food bank.
"She could really relate with kids going hungry or people going hungry," said King. "We've been to countries where there are hungry people and she just said, Mom, it's not right that people in Canada, in a first world country, are going without food."
King posted about Ella's Food Bank drive on Facebook and sales quickly rose to $300. Her new goal is now $500. Ella has received a number of positive responses from people.
"Well one really touched me, they said 'what you're doing is incredible and selfless giving to those less fortunate is so important, the food bank will be so grateful for your efforts and donations, you have started something beautiful and touched so many people's hearts from your act of kindness, all the best and good luck on your reaching your donation goal'," said Ella.
DEMAND RISING THROUGH PANDEMIC
Shawna Ogston is with the Calgary Food Bank and says demand has constantly risen during the pandemic and the facility helps about 1,000 families a day. Ogston is impressed with Ella's efforts.
"We may call it a little fundraiser but it's actually a phenomenal fundraiser," said Ogston. "Because not only do we have a great ambassador in the community and a young philanthropist out there trying to make a difference, she is actually making a difference because for every dollar that's donated, we can leverage that into $5 worth of food so her impact is huge and making sure that families and children are having a great Christmas meal."
Ella says the spirit of Christmas is simple, it's about giving.
"It makes me feel really happy that I'm making others feel happy and very excited," she said. "I feel very good just knowing that I can help a lot of people."
Ella's fundraising Facebook post can be found in the Calgary Parents Buy/Sell/Swap page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.