Mackenzie Hinson named winner of national award
By From staff reports
Published in News on December 27, 2015 3:05 AM
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Mackenzie Hinson
LANDOVER, Md. -- The Heart of America Foundation has announced that Mackenzie Hinson of Mount Olive, is the first place winner of the 2015 Gee Whiz Kids Service Award. The second and third place recipients are, respectively, Adelaide Kepler from Ketchikan, Alaska, and Wesley Stocken from Hanover, N.H.
The Gee Whiz Kids Award is designed to honor exemplary children age 12 and under, who represent the best of their schools and communities via service activities. Brooke will be featured on The Heart of America Foundation's website at www.heartofamerica.org. She will receive an award certificate and a $250 scholarship donated by Marilyn Perlyn, author, and Amanda Perlyn, illustrator, of The Biggest and Brightest Light. The Biggest and Brightest Light (www.biggestandbrightestlight.com) is a children's story that aims to give children a real understanding of the feelings that come from giving.
Hinson, after volunteering at several food banks, decided at age 10 to open her own food bank to better serve her local community. She persuaded a nearby church to allow her to use their facility; met with an accountant and applied for her 501(c) nonprofit status; invited local business leaders to join her board of directors; and scheduled fundraisers to raise money to purchase food. In April of this year, Hinson's "Make A Difference Food Pantry" became a reality with the mission of "stopping hunger one meal; one family at a time while providing nutritious food to those in need with compassion and love."
By July, Hinson had served over 600 people and outgrown the church space, relocating to a local strip mall. She now fundraises to pay her rent and utilities as well as purchase food to give away. Recently, a local car dealership donated a van for Make A Difference Food Pantry to transport food. Make A Difference Food Pantry is an official partnering agency with the Central North Carolina Food Bank. Thanks to Hinson's efforts over 3,000 people have been served. Hinson is also the sponsor of the "Back Pack BUDDY" children's weekend meal program at three local schools, supplying weekend meals for 56 children.