It's not just fireworks and grilling this Fourth of July in Hilliard, Ohio. Two local teenagers are sparking a different kind of community spirit with a food drive aimed at supporting the Hilliard Food Pantry. Sam and Charlie Owsley, 13 and 15 respectively, are rallying parade attendees to bring non-perishable food items to the Hilliard Independence Day Parade, according to a post on the City of Hilliard, Ohio - Government's Facebook page.
The event, which starts at 9 a.m. on July 4 in Downtown Hilliard, will feature a new layer of community giving. Volunteers are prepped to collect the donated food items in the minutes leading up to the inaugural float's roll out. In a statement obtained by the City of Hilliard, Charlie shared some heartfelt sentiments about the effort: "We've grown up in Hilliard our whole lives," he said. "The community has given so much to us, and I think this will be a wonderful opportunity to give back."
The call to action has garnered an enthusiastic response from residents who seem eager to contribute. Keeping with the brothers' initiative, the Hilliard Food Pantry expresses optimism about the potential impact this food drive could have. With hunger and food insecurity being persistent issues, even in suburban communities, such a grassroots effort by young individuals draws attention to a continuing need and exemplifies the power of local action.
