5-year-old emptied her piggy bank to help classmate with no milk money — then raised enough so no one went hungry
A little initiative can go a long way, and 5-year-old Sunshine Oelfke's efforts proved that in a wholesome manner. The little girl was upset when her classmate was unable to afford milk money during school, per TODAY. As a result, she chose to use the savings in her piggy bank to help. When her grandmother, Jackie Oelfke, learned of her selfless attitude and gesture, she went above and beyond to make a massive difference. A small effort paved the way for the community to help fund milk for the majority in need.
According to No Kid Hungry, 1 in 5 kids faces the hunger issue in the United States, accounting for nearly 14 million hungry children. Many students depend on meals received in school, but unfortunately, affording that is also a financial burden. According to the Education Data Initiative, the national school meal debt is around $176 million per year. While some kids receive meals at reduced prices, there are still a few who are unable to afford them. Sunshine’s friend, too, was unable to afford the milk kids received for their snack break. But the 5-year-old knew she had to help. She broke her piggy bank and took out the savings she’d kept for a snowmobile.
When her grandmother asked what she was to do with the money, she said that she wanted it for milk. "She said she was taking it to school for milk. I explained that I had already paid for her milk for the month,” Jackie noted. That’s when Sunshine said, “My friend's mom doesn't have milk money and I do.” Her immediate thought was to help her friend with whatever she had and her grandmother was moved to tears. She went with her to school and informed her teacher, Rita Hausher, about the situation. The teacher, who had been helping kids out with meals financially, was touched to see the girl’s gesture.
"I have always felt sad when I have had to tell a student, 'no,' when they ask if they can have milk," the teacher remarked. She added that Sunshine’s act would make a difference in the students' lives. She filled up bags of money and gave it to the school to fund as much milk as possible for the class. Her grandmother was inspired by her kindness and started a GoFundMe to raise more for other students in need. She shopped to raise enough to cover milk funds for the entire second semester for the whole class. The community raised $19,730 to help with Sunshine’s efforts.
While the grandma wished to pay the entire class’s milk funds for the rest of the year, she later decided to use the money to fund milk for students who couldn’t afford it. "The money will stay with Sunshine as she progresses grades to make sure her friends get milk, no matter where she is,” Jackie explained. The 5-year-old had the sweetest reason when asked about her simple initiative. She said, “I am taking milk money to school for my friend because my friend wants milk and I want my friend to get milk too. We like chocolate milk — together."