One meal at a time
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on May 3, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Mackenzie Hinson, 10, and her mother, Paige Hinson, unpack food items for the Make a Difference Food Pantry, which Mackenzie opened at Black Jack Free will Baptist Church.
Mackenzie Hinson proves there is no age requirement to change the world.
The 10-year-old opened the Make a Difference Food Pantry at Black Jack Free Will Baptist Church in Goldsboro April 16.
Her mother, Paige Hinson, estimates that they served 35 families.
They arrived on the first Thursday to a waiting line.
During Mackenzie's homeschool lessons, she was startled by the grim numbers of childhood hunger in Wayne County.
"No one could survive (hunger), and I knew it had to be stopped," she said.
Her mother helped her research some of the effects of prolonged hunger on childhood development, including detrimental effects on brain, physical and behavioral growth.
They found that there were only two other food pantries in Wayne County.
"I'm the one that wanted to start it," Mackenzie said.
Her favorite part of the opening was providing fresh fruits and vegetables to accompany the canned food. Mackenzie pays special attention to nutrition and quality at her pantry.
Her mother has always put an emphasis on community service, as a way to pay blessings forward.
Mackenzie hosted fundraisers at the Zaxby's in Smithfield to raise money to support her food bank. She was granted 501(c)3 status for her charity.
On May 30, she will host a Dancing With Purpose workshop at Alicia's School of Performing Arts in Benson. Instructors from North Carolina, Virginia and New York will teach ballet, modern, rhythm tap, musical theatre, jazz and clogging. The class will cost $65.
In her quest to start the food bank, Mackenzie spoke in front of the entire Black Jack Free Will Baptist Church in Goldsboro. The church donated a building for the food pantry. The Hinsons do not even pay for electricity.
Mackenzie said she was nervous to speak in front of the congregation, but knew it had to be done.
The family has been welcomed into the parish.
She has also spoken with North Carolina State Sen. Don Davis about hunger in Wayne County.
"She asked him why every child couldn't get a free breakfast," Mrs. Hinson said. Davis told them he did not know, but that Mackenzie should ask the governor.
So, Mackenzie wrote Gov. Pat McCrory a letter.
The food pantry has been approved as a partner with the Central North Carolina Food Bank. Mackenzie will be able to purchase food in bulk at a reduced price from the central bank.
Food Lion has also sold her food at cost to help offset the cost of operating the pantry.
"Food Lion has been phenomenal," Mrs. Hinson said.
Mackenzie's 4-H club and Southern Wayne High School ROTC are hosting food drives to benefit the pantry.
"The more people involved, the bigger we can grow," Mrs. Hinson said.
The Make a Difference Food Pantry is open the third Thursday of every month from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. In the summer, Mrs. Hinson says they hope to open every other week, to help aid school-age children.
People visiting the pantry must bring a state driver's license or identification card, but the Hinsons hope not to have to turn anybody away.
And her project is meant to send a message as well to those who hear about problems like childhood hunger and wonder what they can do -- and to other children who might think they are too young to help, Mackenzie said.
"There are so many children in Wayne County that don't have enough food," she said. "No matter what age, or what height you are, you can make a difference."