There’s no question that we live in challenging times. But along with challenges come opportunities for change—and for changemakers to rise up.
When the world feels dark, we naturally crave the light. We look for torches of goodness, people who create and shed light on positive change in their communities and in society, as a whole. Sometimes we find these wonderful humans in the most unlikely of places—for instance, in the “Salsabrations” of a beloved snacking brand known for chilled salsas and hummus dips.
Family-owned Fresh Cravings says that its motto, “Crave Goodness,” is about inspiring people to seek the best for themselves, their friends and family and their communities. It’s not just lip service; the company puts its money where its mouth is, giving back to the communities it serves. In 2021, Fresh Cravings launched a national giveback campaign to “Salsabrate™ The Good” by donating $5,000 a week—$250,000 total—to 50 grassroots, non-profit organizations with an emphasis on youth change-makers. And it’s continuing its commitment to amplify and support the good in 2022.
Upworthy is thrilled to partner with Fresh Cravings in sharing these youth-led initiatives and celebrating the unsung heroes who are being lifted up in this campaign. Check out these young folks and the awesome things they’re doing for their communities:
Jahkil Jackson was just 8 years old when he decided he wanted to do something to help people experiencing homelessness in his hometown of Chicago. He started creating and giving out Blessing Bags filled with basic supplies such as toothbrushes, soap, hand sanitizer, socks and more. Five years later, he has an entire team of volunteers nationwide who build and distribute Blessing Bags through his non-profit Project I AM. “My goal with the organization is not only to help the homeless and build awareness,” says Jahkil. “It’s also to show kids that helping others, being involved in their community and doing good in the world is actually cool.”
To learn more about Project I AM or to support Jahkil’s efforts, please visit: https://officialprojectiam.com
Hey there, Gen-Z! Halie Thomas founded The HAPPY Organization at age 12 to help kids become happier, healthier, more informed and more active humans. How? Through a unique interactive peer learning experience for 2nd to 5th grade kids, focusing on physical, mental and spiritual wellness education. HAPPY stands for Healthy Active Positive Purposeful Youth, and over the past eight years the org has helped more than 50,000 kids become leaders in their own lives. “It’s really just all about creating this experience that’s holistic, but also fun and engaging for young people to start to learn how to take care of themselves,” says Halie.
To learn more about The HAPPY Organization or to support Halie’s efforts, please visit: https://www.thehappyorg.org.
Chelsea discovered the healing power of art after her grandfather died when she was 4 and her grandmother encouraged her to draw a picture of him. Now she wants to help others heal through creativity. For her 10th birthday, she asked guests to bring art supplies to donate to other kids instead of gifts, and so began Chelsea’s Charity–a nonprofit supporting children’s mental health through art. Less than two years later, her organization has made over 15,000 art kits for kids! “A lot of kids are really excited and happy and just joyful when they get the art kit and that makes me very, very happy,” says Chelsea.
To learn more about Chelsea’s Charity or to support Chelsea’s efforts, please visit: https://www.chelseascharity.com/.
14-year-old Khloe Thompson saw a need among the women experiencing homelessness in her community, so she started making toiletry-filled tote bags for them. Now she enlists others to help make and distribute the bags and also mentors other young people to be changemakers in their communities. In addition, she takes a trip to Ghana each year to help install water pumps in bathroom facilities. “I feel a lot of optimism for the future because I feel as if there’s so many people that want to give back,” says Khloe. “How ever old they are, there’s a little spark inside someone. It just takes a lot to ignite it sometimes.”
To learn more about Khloe Kares or to support Khloe’s efforts, please visit: https://www.khloekares.com.
During the pandemic, 8-year-old Morgan set a goal to raise $100 for Little John’s Kitchens, a nonprofit pay-what-you-can restaurant that’s helping fight food insecurity. She set up a virtual lemonade stand, making videos about Little John’s and asking people to donate. That $100 goal blossomed into a whopping $89,000 in donations. Morgan’s LemonAid Stand continues to raise awareness and collect money for Little John’s Kitchens with even bigger goals in mind. “I have no plans to stop when there is so much need,” says Morgan.
To learn more about Morgan’s LemonAid Stand or to support Morgan’s efforts, please visit: https://www.morganslemonaid.com/.
Peyton was just 7 years old when she founded her nonprofit organization, Eye of a Child, which helps brings awareness and resources to fight child homelessness. Peyton says she has seen homelessness in her own family and learned in her research that 2.5 million children experience homelessness annually. She asked her mom if she could invite 100 homeless people to her 8th birthday party, which prompted the idea for Eye of a Child. The organization makes and sells heart-shaped crayons and custom t-shirts and then donates the profits to homeless shelters. “You should still care for somebody, even if they don’t have as much money,” says Peyton. “They’re still here—care for them while they are.”
To learn more about Eye of a Child or to support Peyton’s efforts, please visit: https://eyeofachild.org.
After Emma Benoit survived a suicide attempt that left her paralyzed at age 16, she wanted to help others who are struggling to find hope and strength. More than 20 teenagers die by suicide in the U.S. every day, and Emma is using her story to empower youth to fight that devastating statistic. “My Ascension” is Emma’s powerful documentary film that encourages young people to be vulnerable and talk about how they’re feeling. “Talk to people. Talk to someone. Tell someone how you’re feeling, because you just never know what a conversation can do for you,” says Emma.
To learn more about My Ascension or to support Emma’s efforts, please visit: https://www.myascension.us.
Maddie Bozik was 10 years old when she noticed that many kids in her school didn’t have access to winter clothes. She lives in northern Illinois, which is known for harsh, cold winters. So she started a winter clothing drive in her neighborhood, which morphed into Maddie’s Mitten March, a nonprofit that collects, cleans and distributes winter clothing for those in need. The organization utilizes two busses to collect and distribute the items, and Maddie says there’s no plan to stop. “We’ll just continue providing winter clothing to anyone who needs it,” she says.
To learn more about the Maddie’s Mitten March or to support Maddie’s efforts, please visit: https://www.mittenmobile.com.
Jack Griffin was 14 years old when he first recognized the problem of food insecurity and the difficulties in accessing resources many people face. Over $100 billion is allocated yearly towards fighting food insecurity, but Jack realized there was an information gap between the people needing food assistance and the people providing it. So he created FoodFinder, a website and app that makes it easier to search for food pantries, soup kitchens and meal assistance sites. “We’re here to raise the utilization of the more than 60,000 food pantries already on the ground serving folks in need,” says Jack, “so that anyone who is looking for help with food [does] not have to worry anymore about where they’ll get their next meal.”
To learn more about FoodFinder or to support Jack’s efforts, please visit: https://foodfinder.us.
There are amazing initiatives all around us that we may not see that deserve to be recognized. Supporting those who are already enacting positive change in their communities—especially young people who represent the future of humanity—is one of the best ways companies and individuals can make an impact on our world.
To learn more about the other organizations Fresh Cravings is lifting up and to be part of this ongoing festival of compassion and charity, join the Salsabration and sign up for the Fresh Cravings newsletter. We can all make our world a better place by amplifying goodness and taking inspiration from the beacons of light in our communities.