Girl, 8, Gives Generous Gift
to Soup Kitchen

Soup Kitchen donor is an 8-year-old
from Hawthorne, NY

White Plains, NY – May 15, 2008

One of the most surprising and inspiring donations to a local Soup Kitchen did not come from a wealthy businessperson or prominent politician, but an 8-year-old girl named Ileana Katzman of Hawthorne, NY. Ileana donated money to the Grace Church Community Center, Inc. (GCCC) Soup Kitchen which she raised by asking 16 of her friends who were invited to her birthday party at the Westchester Skating Rink on April 3rd to make a contribution in lieu of a gift. Proud parents, Sheri and Steven Katzman matched the funds and a grand total of $1,000 was presented on April 24th to Sister Alice Conrad, Supervisor of the Soup Kitchen.

“I decided that since I had so many toys and games, it would be nice to get my friends to bring something different for my birthday that would help others,” Ileana said. So in lieu of gifts, she asked for money and food donations on her invitation.

“People probably think that an 8-year old can’t make a difference, but by doing this, she is showing others how it can be done,” said Sister Alice Conrad.

The Soup Kitchen provides over 20,000 free, nutritious meals each year from its location in the Parish Hall at Grace Church in White Plains, NY. Meals are served from 10:30 am to 12 pm every Monday through Friday throughout the year as well as on holidays.

Although Westchester County is one of the nation’s wealthiest communities, there are a growing number of men, women and children here who face poverty each day. Unemployment and underemployment are the leading causes of hunger and homelessness, but the high housing costs are also a significant factor. Working families, as well as those living at or below the poverty level, struggle to pay for food, housing, transportation and other basic necessities and increasingly find themselves in need of assistance to make ends meet.

“We are so proud of her,” said Sheri Katzman, Ileana’s mom. “She did this for her 7th birthday, but to do it again for her 8th is really something,” said Mrs. Katzman.

Ileana’s a role model to her friends and fellow school-mates at the Hawthorne Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant so they can be aware and be able to give back.

Sister Alice Conrad and the Grace Church Community Center, Inc. are very grateful to Ileana and her parents for such a generous gift and extend best wishes to Ileana for a very Happy Birthday.

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