Volunteer Spotlight
Eli's Big Heart: How One 5th Grader Fed 286 Families
When most fifth graders think about their weekend plans, they're probably considering video games or hanging out with friends. But Eli Gruenkmeyer had something different in mind—he wanted to help families in his community who were struggling to put food on the table.
As part of his Civic Character Formation Project at Concordia Community Lutheran School, Eli took on an ambitious challenge: organizing his own neighborhood food drive. Armed with homemade flyers and determination, he went door-to-door throughout his St. Louis neighborhood, asking neighbors to help fight food insecurity.
"He created and distributed flyers throughout his neighborhood, and over a 2-week period many neighbors dropped off food donations in front of his house," explains Kirk Care volunteer Joanne Prats. But Eli didn't stop there—he also reached out to family and friends, building a network of support that would ultimately make a huge difference.
The results were remarkable. In just two weeks, Eli collected 286 non-perishable food items, some purchased with monetary donations he received. Every single item found its way to Kirk Care's pantry, where they'll help local families facing food insecurity.
What makes Eli's story so inspiring isn't just the impressive number of items collected—it's the ripple effect of compassion he created. His project showed his neighbors that fighting hunger starts with simple actions, and that even the youngest members of our community can make a meaningful impact.
"All of us at Kirk Care are grateful for your efforts in helping families in our community who are experiencing food insecurity," the organization wrote to Eli. His initiative demonstrates that civic engagement isn't about age—it's about heart.
Eli's project reminds us that addressing food insecurity requires all of us working together. Whether you're 11 years old organizing neighborhood drives or an adult volunteering at the pantry, every contribution matters.
Ready to follow Eli's example? Kirk Care needs volunteers and donors to continue serving our community.