Turning Awareness Into Action by Kayla

Turning Awareness Into Action by Kayla - March 2026 Scholarship Essay

Last summer, while volunteering at a local food pantry, I became aware of the number of families that relied on community resources to get by. Prior to that I never had encounters with homeless people within my town, and ignorantly believed that this was only an issue that took place within bigger cities. After that experience I decided to educate myself on poverty issues within my community. I realized that there are many people who endure housing instability and food insecurity within my county, even those who are my age. Many people who are going through these financial difficulties, especially students, tend to hide these issues and go through their everyday lives without anyone knowing of their personal struggles.
Motivated by this realization, I was inspired to organize a town-wide toy drive. I presented my idea to my fellow Youth Advisory Board members and they unanimously agreed to take on this project. I reached out to local schools and places of worship to host drop-off locations, and started planning a holiday giveaway event. At the giveaway, a mother said, “Thank you so much for doing this, my kids have been waiting all week for these toys,” as her children ran up to our table. I felt touched knowing that I was able to make an impact on the lives of the kids in my community. With this project I loved being able to directly see who my initiative was helping. Everyone deserves to experience joy during the holidays, and that’s why this issue was so important to address.
Through my initial volunteer work at a food pantry, I was able to identify a real ongoing issue in my town and find a way to contribute to these families in a different way. I learned that it is possible to inspire positive change in my community even as a teen. This experience showed me that meaningful change often begins with simply paying attention to the needs around you and having the courage to respond. Organizing the toy drive showed me how impactful it can be to make people feel seen and supported. My greatest accomplishment is knowing that I was able to create joy for children in my community. Giving back to those in need is a responsibility I will always be proud to take on.