Huntersville Girl Sells Homemade Ornaments To Help Food Bank

HUNTERSVILLE, NC — Eight months into a pandemic, and focusing on positives can be a real challenge, especially for children who have seen school schedules and play dates upended. But 7-year-old Emma Peterson of Huntersville is trying to do just that while also helping her community this holiday season.

The second-grader is turning her love of crafting into cash by selling homemade popsicle stick snowmen ornaments to her Henderson Park neighbors to help raise money for a Huntersville food bank.

"She loves doing crafts, doing art, having an outlet," Emma's mother, Cathy Peterson, told Patch.

Emma has been learning about food insecurity in school, but the addition of a "blessings box" where neighbors are able to leave food and toiletry items for others really brought it home for her.

The idea that some people were not able to buy food resonated with her, Peterson said.

With her mother's help wielding a hot glue gun, Emma has made about 40 ornaments and raised about $50, which her parents intend to match. The family plans to use the money to buy items needed most by Hearts and Hands Food Pantry, located at 202 S. Old Statesville Road in Huntersville.

"For her, it's just really exciting to do something that helps someone," Peterson said.

Emma's project is already having a positive impact on the community.

"With all the negative and ugly news in the world, I think it's so nice to see a young child being so selfless around the holidays and working so hard to do something so nice," Ann Hart told Patch.

In North Carolina, about 14 percent of residents were considered food insecure in 2018, according to data compiled by Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. Due to the pandemic, however, that number is expected to climb to 19.3 percent by the end of 2020.

If you'd like to help support Emma's fundraising project, Cathy Peterson may be contacted here.

Information about how donations may be made to the Hearts & Hands Food Pantry may be found here.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

SEE ALSO:

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• Patch Holiday Food Drive In Mecklenburg: Give To Feeding America
• North Carolina Man Buys Thanksgiving Turkeys With Lottery Win