Through the Chrysalis Fund’s Youth Giving Back program, 15-year-old Heather Bergman chose to donate her grant to Soup’s On, a local soup kitchen at Grace Mennonite Church.

She says helping feed people made her realize how lucky she is to have a supportive family and enough to eat. Heather has been volunteering at the soup kitchen for about a year and a half, helping people in her community. The program has helped Bergman gain a new perspective on life.

Heather says she is much happier now and feels like the soup kitchen is one big family. Her youth pastor encouraged her to apply for a grant that allows local youth to donate up to $500 to a charity of their choice. Heather gave her $250 value grant to Soup’s On, which feeds hundreds of children through its lunch service and also offers dinners twice a week to anyone who needs a meal.

The Chrysalis Fund was started by 11 women from the Steinbach area. Everyone who donates becomes a member, and all members help decide where the money is given. The fund aims to help children and youth learn, grow, and give back to their community. This year, the Youth Giving Back program also supported another young person’s request to donate to CancerCare in Steinbach.

Source: Christopher Gareau, CBC