For several summers, siblings Maggie (age 12; above, center), Tyler (age 10; above, left), and Cora Wiseman (age 6; above, right) have run a lemonade stand in their Upper Arlington neighborhood to earn extra spending money. They usually take in about $100. But this year, the purpose and final total were a bit different.
“I’m grateful and fortunate to have what I need, but we know there are kids who aren’t getting enough food,” said Maggie. “We thought, ‘we don’t really need that money, we should give it to the food bank.’”
Maggie researched MOFC online and contacted the food bank to get a donation QR code. Tyler posted flyers around the neighborhood, and all three siblings worked the table. In late June, the Wisemans donated about $300 in proceeds from the stand—enough to distribute about 750 meals’ worth of food through the MOFC network.
The kids’ mom Julia said they were the ones who chose MOFC after learning about recent government funding cuts.
“It was amazing watching them go and understand the impact,” Julia said. “You have the power to act and make a difference no matter how old you are, and we hope they have that mindset their whole lives.”
The siblings were thrilled with the outcome and said everyone should do something to help their hungry neighbors. Anyone can give back, Tyler said. Maggie added that everyone should.
“Just go for it. Nothing’s stopping you,” Maggie said. “Donate $5. That still makes a difference. Everything helps!”
