Collecting 19 boxes of items for the Zion Community Food Pantry, 7-year-old Zoe Hensley of Ionia has proved young children can make a big difference in the community.

I feel really great. Im so happy that I (collected) so many boxes, said Hensley. I felt so proud of myself.

Hensley, her siblings and her parents helped carry the items into the pantry Thursday after collecting them at Sozo Coffee Roasting and Espresso Bar through the month of April.

Hensleys initial goal was to fill four large boxes full of food. However, she surpassed it and even raised $140, which she used to purchase health care items including soap, shampoo, toothpaste and hand sanitizer.

Personal care items are equally important to give to the food pantry because typically those items are not able to be purchased with food stamps, said Zion Community Food Pantry Director Barb Hollon.

She said she is thrilled with the work Hensley has done to help the community.

Shes just a remarkable young lady, said Hollon, who helped the children place the items where they needed to be.

Hollon added she believes Hensley is a leader who shows compassion for those around her.

Hensley said she would like to hold another food drive in the future, adding she enjoyed collecting and organizing the items.

Hensleys mother, Mindy Hensley, said she was excited about her daughters accomplishment and is happy to have helped her during collection.

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Food drive a success for 7-year-old