News Boys raise funds to buy food for Vinton Food Pantry

By Sherry Crawford, Vinton Food Pantry

Never underestimate the power of a lemonade stand  - especially if it belongs to Brantley and Hudson Dvorak.

The Vinton Food Pantry  depends on donations to survive.  Since it was incorporated in 1985,  the pantry has worked to provide food for families in need. Thanks to community support and a steady, dedicated group of volunteers,  it has been open every week — sometimes two days, sometimes one. That support is key.

Community support sometimes comes from some  surprising places — and  people. Last month brought us an amazing  gift of 48 pounds of food bought with funds raised by two boys  whose lemonade stand — in just one day — generated $120. Those boys  — Brantley, age 7, and his brother Hudson, age 4 -  saved half for themselves to use for special things they want. The rest they used to buy groceries for  our food  pantry.

Brantley, Hudson and their mom, Maggie, live  between Van Horne and Keystone. They  set up their  first-ever  lemonade stand at their grandma ¢â‚¬â„¢s house in Newhall  last month.

The boys  knew  of the food pantry because their mom  organized two food drives earlier this year,  using utility vehicles  (UTVs). She posts  the idea  and date  on her Facebook page and circulatesa flyer, inviting UTV riders to join the effort.

¢â‚¬Å“We go to different towns and ride together. People bring their food donations to us, ¢â‚¬ � she said.  The one they did in Keystone drew 90 riders. In July, they joined Garrison ¢â‚¬â„¢s 150th  anniversary celebration.  

They  start and  finish at the  campground her boyfriend owns near Tara  Hills  Country Club outside Van Horne.

¢â‚¬Å“It brings people to the campground and also generates support for the food pantry, ¢â‚¬ � Maggie  added.   ¢â‚¬Å“Sometimes it ¢â‚¬â„¢s just nice to give back to people, And food is something that everybody needs. ¢â‚¬ �  

When her boys wanted to  set up a lemonade stand, Maggie  talked with them about what to do with the money they raised.

¢â‚¬Å“Brantley asked, ¢â‚¬ËœHow about we give people food? ¢â‚¬â„¢ ¢â‚¬ � Maggie recalled. ¢â‚¬Å“I said, that would be great. ¢â‚¬ �

The lemonade stand was fun and customers were generous when they heard what the boys were doing  with their proceeds.

¢â‚¬Å“It ¢â‚¬â„¢s one of those things I was taught, that giving is better than receiving, ¢â‚¬ � Maggie said. ¢â‚¬Å“When my kids get kind of needy  and want, want, want, we have to take a step back.  I  just want them to realize that not all kids have what they have. Not everyone  gets three meals a day. ¢â‚¬ �

It ¢â‚¬â„¢s also important to her that  the boys remember to  give  when they can. Their dad died two  years ago  this summer.  

¢â‚¬Å“I tell them, ¢â‚¬ËœYou  have to  make memories here because you can ¢â‚¬â„¢t take it with you. Do good things now, while you ¢â‚¬â„¢re here.  Be kind, ¢â‚¬â„¢ ¢â‚¬ � she  said.

After the  boys  counted their profits, it was time to buy  food. Maggie took them  to  the  grocery store   ¢â‚¬Å“and watched them pick the food they wanted to give, ¢â‚¬ � Maggie said, laughing. ¢â‚¬Å“They picked stuff they like — cereal, mac ¢â‚¬Ëœn ¢â‚¬â„¢ cheese. They were so excited! ¢â‚¬ �

Maggie  and  her boys  brought  the  food  to the pantry;  we  thanked them for  their generosity.  Later,  we  showed them  the shelves of food  we use  to feed families every  week; some  of the food they brought  is  on those shelves.  

Now that they are experienced lemonade salesmen, the boys  are ready to do it again. They ¢â‚¬â„¢ll hold  another one-day fundraiser with their stand before school starts.