Jayda Mills has been donating her piggy bank earnings to the food bank since she was four years old.
The Royston youngster, now six, delivered two shopping carts full of non-perishable items Friday to the Comox Valley Food Bank.
“Her piggy bank got full again,” her mother Jessy said.
Jayda’s father, Jesse, matched the amount, and her grandparents also bucked up with change. Jayda wound up with over $300 worth of food.
Last year when her family was living in Surrey, she donated around $360 to the food bank. Jessy contributed to the total by donating proceeds from a garage sale.
“She’s a very good kid. I’m very proud of her,” Jessy said, noting Jayda’s friends bring food bank donations instead of presents to birthday parties. “They would just bring clothes and food for me because I already have enough toys at home,” Jayda said.
Despite her young age, Jayda understands the concept of starvation. She chooses to donate to the food bank because starving people are at risk of dying.
“So I’m doing this to give people food,” Jayda said.
Her donation was graciously received by Comox Valley Food Bank Society president Jeff Hampton, who says Jayda’s donation will help many people.
“We’re going through a lot of people right now,” he said.
Jayda might be the food bank’s youngest donor to date.
“I’m finding more and more younger people getting involved, which is good,” Hampton said. “They’re the next generation.”
As she climbed into the car before leaving the food bank Friday, Jayda turned to her mother and said it’s the best day of her life.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
