Heavy Lifting

In June, JoJo Zager organized a donation drive to benefit the Community Food Bank of Macomb County, in Michigan. “I was trying to get 10,000 pounds” of food, the 11-year-old told TIME for Kids. And he was trying to do it in 10 days.

JoJo started by contacting the food bank to learn about its work. “He came in and did a tour and walked around and asked a couple of really, really awesome questions,” says Merissa Pacholek, the food bank’s program manager. “He was really concerned” about funding cuts affecting Macomb County and communities around the country, Pacholek adds. “He wanted to know what he could do to help.”

SOLID START Before the food drive has officially begun, JoJo weighs some early donations.

Next, JoJo reached out to nearby libraries and arranged to set up donation drop-off boxes. He made flyers to pass out at libraries and at his karate dojo. His mom, Jennifer, helped him share information on social media. After a local newspaper ran a story about the drive, “word just kind of spread,” she says.

SHOW OF SUPPORT JoJo poses with a food-bank truck to raise awareness for the bank and his upcoming drive.

Donation boxes started filling up with nonperishable foods, such as cereal and canned soup and tuna. JoJo and his mom did pickups every other day, and delivered donations to the food bank’s warehouse. “No one deserves to be hungry,” JoJo says. If people need food, he wants to make sure they get it.

Food Insecurity

People who are food-insecure don’t always have enough nutritious food to eat or know where their next meal will come from. In the United States, more than 47 million people experienced food insecurity in 2023. That’s according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Food insecurity happens for different reasons. A lost job, an unexpected bill, or an injury or illness that makes a person miss work can mean less money for food. “There are so many people that are just one crisis away” from needing help, Pacholek says.

When times are tough, food banks and food pantries can help out. JoJo says he chose to support the Macomb County food bank because it contributes to 50 different pantries and hunger-relief groups in the area.

People can visit pantries to get free groceries. “The need here in Macomb County is pretty huge,” Pacholek says. Last year, the food bank distributed nearly 3 million pounds of food to more than 400,000 people.

Raising Awareness

JoJo’s 10,000 Pound Challenge ran from June 2 to 12. Donations weighed in at 6,000 pounds. JoJo didn’t quite reach his goal. “But I did get close,” he says. How does he feel about the results? “Really good,” JoJo says. “I love helping people.”

SOLID START Before the food drive has officially begun, JoJo weighs some early donations.

Pacholek is grateful. “He brought so much awareness” to the food bank, she says. “A lot of people don’t even know about us . . . so we had people calling, like, ‘Oh, I heard about JoJo’ and ‘What a cool thing. Do you need volunteers? Can we drop food off?’ Honestly, if there was a way to measure that, I think he did so much more than even the 10,000 pound goal.”

GROUP SHOT On June 4, JoJo collects donations at a Kiwanis club after giving a speech about his goal to relieve food insecurity.

JoJo isn’t done yet. He plans to launch another food drive in March.

Inspired?

Let JoJo’s story inspire you to help make a positive difference. Click below for ideas on how you can combat food insecurity in your community.