For 11-year-old Maddie DeMeo, Thanksgiving is about more than stuffing the turkey it's about stuffing these pantry shelves.
“I like knowing i can help people and i like knowing that i can have my thanksgiving dinner while a bunch of other people are having there's as well,” she said.
Maddie and her family started raising money for the food pantry donations around Halloween.
Through candy sales, several local businesses also made contributions.
Maddie sets the bar higher each year and this thanksgiving she's raised more than a $1000 or three car loads worth of groceries.
The grocery list for all the donations more than 8 feet long!
“But I want to do this because I like helping people and it's nice to know that I'm helping different families not just like one person,” she added.
“Obviously I'd be ok with helping one person but I like knowing I can help a lot of different people.”
Brian DeMeo, Maddie’s father is happy that his daughter is giving back.
“Most kids her age they're wanting to go out and play and do this and do that but to have someone with such a big heart to help the community,” he said.
Volunteers say come holiday season they know they'll have an extra set of hands working to fill bellies with a warm meal during the season of giving.
“We need younger people. the next generation needs to step up because there's people out there that need them and I could use somebody to help ease the pain on my back,” said Richard Debor, Volunteer
Maddie told KMTV that she plans to give back to the Bellevue Food Pantry for many years to come.
