She may be only 6 years old, but Eva Chapman is the hero we’ve all been waiting for. Eva is currently on a quest to collect 10 million jars of peanut butter and jelly so that no kid will ever go hungry. This is something we can definitely get behind.
So far, Eva has collected and donated 1,033 jars to nine schools within her Florida county, including her own. People from as far away as Canada have donated to her cause.
Eva began the nationwide food drive in April 2019 after learning that one of her kindergarten classmates was not as lucky as she was when it came to her stable home life. “She got fixated on [another child] she went to school with,” Eva’s mother, Nicole Chapman, told Good Morning America. “It became apparent to me that [the child] didn’t have a great home life. My advice to her was, ‘Go ahead and love from afar because they don’t have everything you have.'”
Although Eva’s school offers a free hot lunch to those who may be in need, Eva was concerned about what her classmates were eating at home, if anything. So, she decided to stop wondering and do something about it.
This sweet & kind-hearted Kindergartener, Eva Chapman, started a peanut butter & jelly drive to ensure that no students go hungry over summer break. We are also accepting donations at the school on her behalf. Are YOU all in? @volusiaschools #EvasPBJdrive pic.twitter.com/gOXwwwkAm5
— Andrea Hall (@amhall814) May 11, 2019
“We are getting more and more peanut butter and jelly so we could have some for the children that have hot lunch and so they could have peanut butter and jelly for the summer,” Eva said in a video interview on the Volusia County Schools Twitter page.
And as Eva’s principal, Andrea Hall, stated, other children across the country are following Eva’s lead and starting food drives of their own to help their fellow classmates.
Kindergartner Eva Chapman started a peanut butter and jelly drive at Spruce Creek Elementary for kids who don’t have enough to eat over the summer. Her kindness is spreading! #VCSPROUD @scesbobcats pic.twitter.com/2E6FGEi7rC
— Volusia County Schools (@volusiaschools) May 16, 2019
After Eva’s story hit the news, Principal Hall tweeted that Jif and Smuckers reached out to help Eva reach her 10 million-jar goal. “Just got word of a 5,000 jar donation from Jif PB & 5,000 jars of jelly from Smuckers!” Hall tweeted on June 14th.
The positivity keeps spreading (pun intended) as a.result of 1 child starting a PB&J drive to feed a classmate over the summer. Just got word of a 5,000 jar donation from Jif PB & 5,000 jars of jelly from Smuckers! @volusiaschools @jrussell_t @bycassidy #10000jars #EvasPBJdrive pic.twitter.com/fVKnowwACc
— Andrea Hall (@amhall814) June 14, 2019
We are all this Meryl Streep GIF in this moment. Eva deserves this amazing donation.
— Kelly Moore (@KellyMooreVCS) June 15, 2019
And we are all proud of Eva for making a difference. She’s the epitome of kindness.
How do you change the world? One set of PB&J at a time. So proud of our sweet Eva! ❤️ https://t.co/WGPkEIGYiS
— Andrea Hall (@amhall814) May 29, 2019
She’s also very lucky to have an amazing support system behind her. Everyone involved is doing a really good thing.
Absolutely a beautiful and heartwarming story.. what a big heart this little girl has and huge kudos to you for all of your support🤗
— Michelle Phelan (@mshell44) June 15, 2019
Her story is inspiring others to do more random acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. The world is definitely in need of more of that.
Eva is an inspirational young lady. I admire her compassionate spirit.
— James T. Russell (@jrussell_t) May 11, 2019
“It’s quantifiable to her at this young age when she sees all the jars come and go from our house, from my office,” her mother added. “She can feel that sense of pride and accomplishment and I think more than anything else, she’s happy that she was able to help other kids.”
Count me in...my donation will be on it's way...
— Dr. Cristina Raimundo (@cristinaraimun4) May 11, 2019
The Chapman family have been keeping their friends, family, and followers up to date on the PB&J drive via their Facebook group Gabriella’s Light, where they also promote an annual diaper drive in memory of their stillborn daughter Gabriella.
Eva and her mother have appeared on several local news outlets to spread the word and gather even more PB&J jar donations.
While Eva tackles her mission, you may want to attempt to set up a PB&J drive in your own school district.
To do so, we recommend approaching your local school’s principal or superintendent of schools to get started.
Canned good are always great to collect. However, if you’re a fan of Eva’s plan, spread the word that you’re collecting PB&J (and perhaps loaves of bread).
Today, H-Club students dropped off the Thanksgiving Food Drive items at the Hartford Food Pantry. Ozzy made his way to help but had no idea where to start sorting with all the canned goods! pic.twitter.com/Sg7dZNlm61
— Hartford's H-Club (@HUHS_HClub) December 5, 2018
Make sure you reach out to neighboring schools and communities to get the okay before attempting to donate a large amount of food. They’ll need time to organize the space and prepare a plan of how to distribute your donation.
Time is winding down on “Stuff a Cruiser “ Food Drive to be delivered to @FoodBankAL . Thanks to Officer Scruggs for this wonderful idea and Lt Green’s effort in organizing the event. And thanks to the generous citizens of HSV/MadCo for all of their donations!👮🏻♂️🤝👫🥫❤️ pic.twitter.com/IGDS0xVleI
— Madison Sheriff AL (@mcsosheriffAL) November 17, 2017
Your food drive can run for a week, month, or like Eva’s, go on indefinitely.
Sadly, there will always be someone (or some animal, as is true with the below food drive) in need of nourishment, and your efforts will be appreciated.
Cat food drive for @GAWS_Animals great idea 😸
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) April 5, 2016
Via @geelongaddy pic.twitter.com/EwQY0i5IEj
Get creative, people. There’s never a bad time to host a food drive.
Congratulations to Eva for doing good in her community. Her story has seriously made us feel warm and fuzzy.
We feel inspired to do something great (and also make a PB&J sandwich).
