By: Moosa Imran, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Grimsby Lincoln News
For young Marcus Bousfield, a wasted dinner plate turned into a valuable lesson.
After wasting a plate of dinner and later learning of food insecurity for children his age, Bousfield would go on to make a large food donation to West Lincoln Community care.
His mother, Kristina Sarantakos, said after her then-eight-year-old boy wasted a plate of dinner, the family had a conversation about kids the same age as Marcus, who didn’t always get to have dinner.
His mother said the conversation left an impression for the next few nights, and Bousfield would eat things he normally wouldn’t eat and finish his plate after every meal.
She said the following Friday, when he received his allowance, he asked his mother to buy him food.
“And at first, I wasn’t sure exactly what he was talking about,” Sarantakos said.
She asked her son if he was asking for snacks.
His response: ”No, food for someone who doesn’t have food.”
For the next two weeks, the boy would spend his allowance on food to donate to others. He then asked his mother to take a picture of him and post it on her social media, to ask if others would be interested in donating food as well.
“I was kind of shocked, I really wasn’t expecting that at all,” she said.
“I really thought he wanted me to go to the dollar store and buy chocolate bars or chips or something, but obviously, I was proud that that’s what he wanted instead.”
Initially, Marcus had set a goal of 60 pounds. With the help of his grandparents, other family members, friends and several anonymous donations left at the doorstep of the family’s home, Bousfield had achieved 50 pounds in just five days.
When it came time to make his drop off in mid December, Bousfield made a donation of 173 pounds of food.
His mother said the boy was really proud of himself once he saw the number on the scale.
“I just hope that he realizes how much he’s actually helping people that need the help and he continues to do things like this as he gets older,” she said.
This isn’t the boy’s first donation either. Earlier this year, Bousfield also made a $1,200 donation to McNally house by selling popcorn.
Sarantakos encouraged other parents to support their children in moments like these, as it teaches them valuable lessons on gratitude.
According to his mother, Bousfield, now nine, already has plans on doing his food drive over again next year and has set a target weight of 200 pounds.
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