Local children donate garden proceeds to FISH

Many children like to make a few extra dollars over the summer. However, it's not every child who decides to give the money away.  That's what two Cape Girardeau children, Samantha and William Gardner, decided to do this year.

Samantha, 7, and William, 4, worked on a garden and sold the vegetables they grew. The proceeds from the vegetables and a lemonade stand, $113.07, went to benefit FISH, a Cape Girardeau food pantry.

 Jennifer Gardner, mother of the two children, initially wanted to start a garden over the summer, and the children wanted to earn some extra money to spend while on vacation. However, their mother decided each child should only have $10 to $15 to spend. She then asked the children where they would like to give the remaining dollars. Samantha suggested the FISH pantry.

Friday afternoon, Samantha, William and their mother met with Cape Girardeau FISH volunteers the Rev. Paul Kabo and Diane Shafer to tour the facility. Both children received a certificate of thanks. After the tour, the children went to Save-A-Lot to buy food for the FISH pantry. After shopping, the children brought the items back to the pantry and stocked the shelves.

"This is outstanding to me that a couple of kids are moved to help others," Kabo said.

"I am very proud," Jennifer Gardner said of her children. She said that once the children raised $50, Samantha told her mom, "Wouldn't it be neat to reach $100?" 

This was the first time for both Samantha and William, who attend school at St. Vincent Elementary and Christian School for the Young Years, to volunteer for FISH.

The past two years have been especially tough for the FISH pantry. 

"More and more people need help due to losing their jobs and not being able to find a job," Shafer said. Shafer also said high utility bills during the summer have also contributed to the struggle many individuals are facing. Kabo said the organization is serving about 3,600 individuals a year. 

Support for FISH is primarily from churches. "All the churches help out," Shafer said.

Other support comes from organizations such as fraternities and sororities, individuals and corporations. Kabo noted that Panera Bread Co. donates bakery items every Saturday. Schnucks and Walmart are also supporters, offering certificate values for FISH to purchase food. Shafer said the Boy Scouts are a tremendous help to the organization as well.

FISH has no paid staff members. Kabo said, "This is a Christian led effort to live out our commitment to Jesus Christ and feed the hungry."