Stories of Hope 2020

Luis Vargas - Taylor Middle High School - Pierson

November 27, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Luis Vargas, and I am an eighth-grader at Taylor Middle High School in Pierson. I have been attending the Pierson FBH Program for two years along with my brothers Antolin and Jonathan and my little sisters Suzy and Magaly. I am 13 and the oldest. We also attend with our mom who is taking English classes.

My favorite subject is geometry, it is hard and challenging at times. It challenges your brain. But I need to know math if I want to become an architect. An architect does blueprints for buildings. It is my wish that I pursue my goals and dreams and get good grades to become an architect. Food Brings Hope helps me do better in school by helping me improve my reading and math skills. FBH teachers are very friendly and helpful, and they help me remember what I learned in the classroom. I am going to start using the FBH Homework Hotline. I think it will help me improve in my other subjects, too.

My favorite FBH field trip last year was going to a holiday concert in Daytona. We rode a bus which was cool because we saw a lot of decorated houses on the way to the concert. When we arrived in Daytona, we headed over to an area where we were served dinner before going inside to listen to holiday songs. I am glad we went to the concert.

To celebrate Christmas, we wake up early in the morning and pray to God and then we eat breakfast together as a family. My family and me gather around the tree to open our gifts. We are thankful for the gifts we get from FBH during our annual holiday party at the mission. Mrs. Winch comes to greet us and helps pass out gifts. For Christmas, I want an iPhone 11. I would like to give a golden necklace to my mom because she takes care of me and my siblings and she tries hard to provide us what we need. She makes sure we are happy.

FBH means to me that you can accomplish what you want if you work hard for it. Thank you Food Brings Hope.


Denny Gordon - Campbell Middle School TeenZone

November 28, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Denny Gordon. I am 12 years old, attend Campbell Middle School and have been involved with Food Brings Hope since fifth grade. FBH helps me do better in school because this year they have a Homework Helpline that I can call four days a week at 5:30 p.m. and get help with my schoolwork. I enjoy TeenZone and have made six new friends since joining.

Dentonie and Denty are my two brothers and my sister's name is Dentonae. Spending time with my family is my favorite thing to do during the holidays.

If I could receive anything I wished for at Christmas, I would like a laptop computer. Since math is my favorite subject in school, and I want to be a programmer when I get older, having my very own laptop would help me learn more.

FBH helps kids out who don't have much. TeenZone helps me in many ways, but the most important thing is helping me on homework and with my classwork. 


Johanna Pacheco - Pierson KidsZone

November 29, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Johanna Pacheco, and I am 8 years old. I am in the third grade at Pierson Elementary School and I come to the KidZone program with my mom and little brother, Junior. My mother is in the class learning English. I have three brothers, Brian, Juan and Junior, and no sisters. It would be cool to have a sister, but I love my brothers. I love to read books, a lot of chapter books. I want to be a vet when I grow up because I love animals. I always want to help them and save their lives. I really love the furry and cute animals. It makes me happy to see an animal get better if they are sick.

The KZ program has helped me with my reading and math. I am getting better in math because we work on it all the time. I like doing my math on the iPad. I like coming to FBH because I am learning and doing better in school. My grades are As and Bs.

My new KZ friend is Gabby because she is a nice person, and she shares things with me. We attend the same school, but we are not in the same class.

I hope I get the LOL Surprise glitter factory, and LOL OMG doll house and something nice for my mom. My brother likes Paw Patrol so that is what he wants for Christmas. If I get two of the same gifts, I will send them to my cousins in Mexico because they don't get many gifts for Christmas.

I am happy to be in FBH KZ and happy that my mom and Junior are here, too.


Kendon Thomas - Sunrise Elementary School KidsZone

December 1, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides after-school programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org

 

My name is Kendon Thomas. I am 11 years old and am a fifth-grade student at Sunrise Elementary. My favorite subject is mathematics.

This is my second year in KidsZone. I participate in both Project LEAD as part of KidsZone and FBHonors. KidsZone helped teach me things in fourth grade to prepare me for fifth grade. I have already learned things this year in FBHonors. My favorite field trip last year was attending the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Women's and Men's basketball games.

I have eight siblings: Kenia; Jaquan; Kennedy; Kamora; Kaden; Adon; Asiaja; and Cliffton.

If I could have anything for Christmas, I would like a PS5. If I could give everyone just one gift, I would give everyone happiness.

I like Food Brings Hope because the programs are fun and help me get more knowledge.


Evelyn Alvarado - Taylor Middle High School - Pierson

Evelyn Alvarado shares her Food Brings Hope story

From Staff Reports

Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

My name is Evelyn Alvarado. I am 12 years old and attend Taylor Middle High School here in Pierson where I am in the seventh grade. I started attending Food Brings Hope's KidsZone Program in the third grade and now I attend as a middle-schooler along with my mom who is in the adult English class. I have one brother, Carlos. He is a ninthgrader at Taylor M/H who does not attend because he has more homework than I do.

Math is my favorite subject because I am getting better at it and my grades are improving. Some students do not like math because they think it is hard.

I would like to go to the Army after graduating from high school. It will take a lot of hard work, but this is my goal.

My favorite FBH field trips last year were going to the News-Journal Center for the holiday concert and going to the Embry Riddle basketball game. It was a nice trip because my brother and mother attended, too.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the lights, decorations and spending time with my family. I would love to

give my mom a statue or plaque that says Best Mom because she is the best mom in the world. She buys me things that I need and want before buying anything for herself. She is a very caring and loving mom. She works hard and then comes to English class to learn.

Christmas morning, we wake up early — around midnight. We open all our gifts and then go back to bed. I hope I get AirPods and the iPhone X phone case for Christmas. Clothes would be a nice gift, too. After we wake up again, we get ready for our family cookout. Breakfast is shrimp with sandwiches, and for dinner we have fish.

The Food Brings Hope Program to me is not only a place to grow, but also a place to have fun. It is that place where you get help on projects, homework and that final push. The teachers sit down with you to help you and they tell you to use the FBH Homework Hotline for extra help and to improve my grades. Food Brings Hope is a good program for my family. 


Samantha Roylance - Westside Elementary FBHonors

Samantha Roylance shares Food Brings Hope story

December 3, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants.  For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

Samantha Roylance is my name and this is the first year I have been in FBHonors at Westside. I have been a student at Westside since second grade. Being in FBHonors helps me to learn more in math and science, which are two of my favorite subjects.

When I think of Food Brings Hope, I think of hope, kindness and thankfulness. Everyone is kind in FBHonors, and I made three new friends since I joined. I am thankful that I get the extra help after school in math and science because it will help me when I grow up. Most people don't want to be what I want to be when I grow up which is a marine biologist.

We haven't been able to go on any FBH field trips yet this year, but we are hoping to go on a field trip to a marine lab at the end of the school year. There, we will get to snorkel and attend classes to learn more about marine life. This experience will help me learn more about being a marine biologist, too.

For Christmas it would be great to get tae kwon do lessons. I can't take lessons now because the lessons are at the same time as FBHonors plus they are very expensive. I hope sometime I will be able to take these lessons. My family also feels that FBHonors is very special and important for me to attend.

All of the fifth-grade teachers are nice to me, and for Christmas, I wish I could get each of them a cool poster of something or someone they like. 


Summer Wilson Kerns - Westside Elementary FBHonors

Summer Wilson Kerns shares her Food Brings Hope story

December 3, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Summer Wilson Kerns, and I have been a student at Westside since kindergarten. I have been in FBHonors for two years and am in fifth grade.

It is fun to stay after school each day and learn about interesting topics that we don't get during the day. This year in FBHonors we are learning a lot about marine biology, and I

really enjoy that because I want to be a boat captain when I grow up or even a marine biologist.

Hopefully, we will be able to go on an educational field trip at the end of the year to a marine science center in Key Largo.

In school I enjoy math class and working with numbers, especially doing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. Since I have been in FBHonors,

I have made many friends since we are together after school all week.

My dad knows how to play the guitar, so for Christmas, I would like to get a guitar and take lessons because I love music. My 16-year-old step sister has been wanting a blue pair of Nike shoes for a whole year. It would be a special treat to be able to get them for her for Christmas.


Christopher Proctor - Sunrise Elementary FBHonors

Christopher Proctor's Food Brings Hope story

December 5, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Christopher Proctor. I am 10 years old and am a fifth-grade student at Sunrise Elementary in Deltona. I have been in the FBHonors program for two years. My favorite subject is math. I want to go to college, but am not sure what I want to be after college because I want to keep my options open.

I have one brother, Xavier, and two sisters, Aliyah and Alysia. We are excited to open presents on Christmas. If I could get one thing on my wish list, it would be a PS5. If I could give others a gift during the holidays it would be to give donations of food to people who need it just like Food Brings Hope does each week.

My favorite field trip with Food Brings Hope last year was the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Women's and Men's basketball games. I learn a lot in FBHonors and it helps me to be more creative because I try new things. My favorite part of FBH is the field trips because I get to explore places I haven't been to before and might not be able to see with my parents.


K'on Snead - Campbell Middle School TeenZone

December 6, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit food bringshope.org.

 

My name is K'on Snead. I am 13 years old and am an eighth-grade student at Campbell Middle School. I have been in TeenZone for two years and have made many friends in the program. My favorite subject is band because the band teacher helps me with all of my other subjects and he is the most supportive teacher I have this year.

My siblings, Kayshawn, Kami, Ly'asia, Maleah and I will celebrate Christmas by cooking, watching movies, playing games, going to church, and celebrating my brother's birthday on Dec. 27. If I could get anything on my wish list, it would be the Xbox.

I like being in the TeenZone program because it helps me socialize with other people and teaches me how to control my energy. It helps me control my urge to horseplay and stay focused.

The people at Food Brings Hope really care about us. They spend their time and money giving kids food and helping us to learn more in school.


Arias Family - Campbell Middle School

Arias family shares their Food Brings Hope story

December 7, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides after- school programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

Twins Ofelia and Erica Arias participate in Campbell Middle Schools' TeenZone. They are diligent students who work hard to maintain good grades. The sisters, along with younger sister, Joselyn, recently answered a series of questions regarding school, career goals and their family's holiday traditions. Ofelia and Erica are in eighth grade and joined the TeenZone program this school year. Ofelia's favorite subject is science, and she plans to attend law school after college and become an attorney. Erica's favorite subjects are science and history and her career plans are to be a photographer. Younger sister, Joselyn, who is in fifth grade, likes social studies and P.E. and wants to be an actress. Ofelia and Erica love being part of the TeenZone program.

“Food Brings Hope helped me keep up with my grades and has helped me with a lot of my homework, on their helpline, that I found difficult,” Ofelia said. “It is an amazing program!”

The three Arias girls have the unique distinction of participating in the Food Brings Hope Homework Helpline every night since its first session on Sept. 21. They Zoom in and receive assistance from the teachers online each night. Sponsor Ericka Burnam-Hoyt has seen a marked improvement in Erica's and Ofelia's grades in the first semester.

Mrs. Arias is happy that the Homework Helpline was created to assist students. “I think the Homework Helpline is phenomenal in the aspect of their academic curriculum. It helps our girls focus academically, brings us more together, and involves me more in their studies. Of course the weekly food bags help, too.”

During the holidays, the family likes to be together and play games and cook good food. They have a holiday tradition of preparing homemade tamales.

Ofelia shared that she would like a great big dinosaur book and a drawing book for Christmas. Erica is hoping for a PS5 and Joselyn wants a Yui heart necklace. They would also like to give a special gift of new clothes or a new cup to their mom because she works so hard to take care of them.

If the family could give a gift to someone special, they chose FBH sponsors Ericka Burnam-Hoyt and coach Sabrina Burnam-Hoyt. They would give them a special vacation or a spa day so they can relax and recoup because they work so hard to help students at Campbell Middle School and in TeenZone.

Erica summed up how the family feels about Food Brings Hope, “I love the whole organization and they help other students and we all bond when we are doing our work. It brings us together and it is fun with them! I have the chance to make new friends with new people and we help out each other.” 


Ella Farmer - Campbell Middle School TeenZone

December 8, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides after-school programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Ella Farmer. I am 12 years old and attend Campbell Middle School. My favorite school subjects are mathematics and music. I would love to be an actress or animator after I graduate from college. This is my first year in TeenZone and I have already made many friends. I am excited to continue to be in the program for a long time.

I have two sisters, Lily and Claire, and two brothers, Mitch and Pat. For the holiday season I hope to see family and do some baking. For Christmas, I would love to get a drawing tablet. Also, I would love for COVID to end so I can go back to school and see all my friends in person. If I could get a special gift for someone else, I would love to give my mother a gift because she has been a single mom for most of her life, and I really owe it to her.

Food Brings Hope means lots to me and my family. If I didn't have this program and the Homework Helpline, I would most likely have awful grades. It makes all of my family so happy because of these extremely kind people.


Gabrielle (Gabby) Lopez - Pierson KidsZone

December 9, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Gabrielle (Gabby) Lopez and I am in the second grade at Pierson Elementary. I've been coming to the KidsZone program since I was a little girl. I think I was 4 years old. My mother attended the class to learn English and she still comes with me two times a week. My mom is in her class doing her lessons on a computer and she puts her work in a notebook. I am in the other room working and having fun.

I like KidsZone because it helps me with my reading and math on ZEARN. Math is my favorite subject and I love it. 

When I grow up I want to be an artist because I love to draw and paint.

My favorite field trip last year was the Christmas concert. I saw Santa Claus and he gave us candy canes. We ate pizza and listened to music.

I have three sisters: Janet, 25; Selena, 24; and Monica, 14. My brother, Juan, is 19. I am going to celebrate Christmas with my family. I wake up early and get my presents from under the tree. I hope I get a lot of gifts this year. I really, really, really want a hoverboard and a special mug for my grandmother.

The Food Brings Hope program makes me happy. It helps me and my family.


Emily Wells - Enterprise Elementary KidsZone

December 10, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides after-school programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Emily Wells. I attend Enterprise Elementary and am in fourth grade. I am 9 years old. This is my second year in the KidsZone program. My favorite school subject is writing because I love being creative and using my imagination. I have a twin brother, Ethan, who also attends Enterprise Elementary. It is my wish to go to Universal Studios with my family during the winter break. For Christmas this year, I am hoping to get a cat and a hoverboard as my presents. If I could give someone else a special gift this year, I would give money to people who need it.

Snack time and play time before tutoring are my favorite things about Kids-Zone. I also have made new friends in the program and love hanging out with them on KidsZone days. I have really improved my math skills while participating in KidsZone. Thank you Food Brings Hope!


Audrey VanPatten - Enterprise Elementary KidsZone

December 11, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org. 

 

My name is Audrey VanPatten. I am 8 years old and am a third-grade student at Enterprise Elementary School. I have been in the KidsZone program for one year. My favorite school subject is math and I would like to go to veterinary school and become a veterinarian as I love to take care of animals.

I am an only child and look forward to playing my Nintendo Switch when I am off for winter break. If I could get anything on my wish list, I would like to get a hoverboard and a dog. If I could give someone else a special gift this year, I would bring cookies to my neighbors.

The thing I like best about KidsZone is the book we are reading together in tutoring — “The One and Only Ivan” — and snack time. KidsZone helps me learn better. 


Olivia Pettit-Spiller - Enterprise Elementary KidsZone

December 12, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Olivia Petit-Spiller. I am 8 years old and am a third-grade student at Enterprise Elementary School. I have been in the KidsZone program for one year. My favorite school subject is science and I hope to be a zookeeper or a teacher after college.

I have one sister, Emma. I want to see my cousin in Texas for Christmas, but I don't think we'll be able to travel this year. I would love to receive a braceletmaking kit as a gift. If I could give a gift to other children, I would give a helicopter to a child whose family can't afford toys.

I have made a lot of new friends in KidsZone. My best friends are Joshua, Afsa and Audrey.

My favorite thing about KidsZone is the extra time I get with my teacher, snacks, and playtime before tutoring. KidsZone is helping me become a better reader.


Denty Gordon - Campbell Middle School TeenZone

December 13, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Denty Gordon. I am a sixth-grade student at Campbell Middle School. I attend Campbell along with my brother, Denny, and sister, Dentonae.

During the holidays, my family enjoys spending time together and having fun. I am hoping I receive a laptop computer for Christmas as I am an online student and it would be very helpful with my studies. I also would like to give money to a charity because there are others that are far less fortunate and are alone. I would like to give something to them to make them feel better about themselves and to tell them that everything will be OK.

I really enjoy being in the TeenZone program. I met my best friend at Teen-Zone and have made many friends in the two years I've been involved. Food Brings Hope helps me do better in school by helping me with assignments that I don't understand. My favorite subject in school is science. I call in to the Homework Helpline because the teachers will explain things in more detail.

TeenZone means a lot to me because it's a place to have fun with friends and experience things I might not have been able to do, like attending a field trip to Wonder Works. That was an awesome trip.

The thing I like best about Food Brings Hope is that they bring us together like a family.

When I graduate from high school, I am planning to join the military to serve my country.


Braylon Harris - Westside Elementary FBHonors

December 14, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

Braylon Harris, a fifth-grade student at Westside, had lots to share about the importance of Food Brings Hope to him.

For the last two years, he has been in FBHonors, but prior to that Braylon was in the FBH KidsZone program. He explained that FBHonors really has helped him academically and also in overcoming problems he was having socially last year.

His grades are so much better in both math and reading, and math is his favorite subject because he loves doing multiplication problems. Braylon said that FBHonors helps him by motivating him to make better grades and stay out of trouble. His teacher says he has made a big turnaround in all areas at school.

Outside of school, he is very proud to play for the Ormond Beach Pride football team and was looking forward to playing in an upcoming championship game. When asked his position, he beamed and said, “I can play any position.” Playing for the NFL would be a dream come true for him.

His family consists of six brothers and sisters. One brother was also in FBHonors a few years ago. Grandma and Grandpa adopted Braylon, and he shared that they take good care of him and work hard to provide for him.

Of course, his wish for Christmas would be a Florida Gators football jersey because he likes the college, their football team, and he hopes to go there after he graduates from high school. Braylon's wish list also includes two scooters so he can give them to his little sisters who also attend Westside Elementary.


Essence Culver - Westside Elementary FBHonors

December 15, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides after-school programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

My name is Essence Culver and I'm in the fourth grade at Westside Elementary. I went to school here in kindergarten, but then moved away to Georgia. I came back this year and now I'm in FBHonors. When I got back to Westside, I was very shy and didn't talk to many people. Being in FBHonors helped me to socialize and make friends. Food Brings Hope helps a lot of people by giving them hope and by giving families food because it helps you to learn if you're not hungry.

Math is my favorite subject, and I like it because you are taught many different strategies to use, but you can also use your own strategies to get the right answer. Math will also help me when I become a doctor. Helping people is something I enjoy doing and one of the reasons I want to become a doctor.

I have five siblings — three brothers and two sisters — and we all live with my mom. For Christmas, I would like to get a new pair of sneakers, but it does not matter what color or kind they are, just so they are a size 3. It would be nice if I could give my teacher an appreciation cup and a thank-you card and thank-you cards for all my friends!


Alexandria White - Mainland High School FBHonors

December 16, 2020 - Daytona Beach News-Journal 

ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.

 

Alexandria White is my name, and I am a junior at Mainland High School. I have been a member of FBHonors for eight years since fourth grade at Westside. My sister, Sydney, graduated last year, but had been in FBHonors for nine years. She is now a freshman at FAMU.

FBH provides us a group of teachers and students who are willing to do anything to help members become successful not only in school, but in life as well. TeenZone has helped me by providing me with excellent teachers and support systems that not only I need but that other students also need.

My favorite subject is U.S. history but, if I had to pick my favorite class, I would pick either ASL (American Sign Language) or my piano class. I really want to be a singer when I grow up because I've been singing since I was in seventh grade, and I've always dreamed of becoming a singer. I even took dance as an elective my sophomore year because I love music so much.

Other FBH members and I have gotten very close throughout the years, as we all have matured a great deal from elementary school until now. I wanted to get my two closest friends something for Christmas, but I'm not able to do so this year. Since I'm really good at drawing, I'm drawing each of them something special. The drawings will take me a long time to do, but it's worth it.

Christmas? If I could ask for something, I would ask for people to change and to start accepting others for who they are, whether its gender, race, sexuality, religion, etc. and for everyone to live in peace. I am hoping to spend time with family and friends, to enjoy each other and just have fun! I would love to get a keyboard for Christmas because learning how to play the piano would help with my career. Or even a camera, I just love cameras and taking pictures!

The things I like best about Food Brings Hope are the field trips and that they introduce you to people, not just in business, but to people who have successful careers. We are given the opportunity for others to help lead us to become successful as well.


Hosseini Family Foundation
100% of Food Brings Hope overhead is paid for by the Hosseini Family Foundation!
100% of donations to Food Brings Hope directly benefit students.

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