Seven-year-old Morgan Pike of Salinas, California, raises money and vegetables for the local soup kitchen and food bank. Some of the money also goes to feed a rescued horse named Stardust.

What kind of philanthropic or volunteer work did/do you do?

Morgan: I help the homeless and unhomeless people. I make food at Dorothy’s Place Soup Kitchen, and I take them tomatoes from my garden to use in the salad. I have lots of friends there. I’ve had snack sales to raise money for Dorothy’s, the Food Bank, and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. I donate money to them from my sales and allowance. I sponsor a horse named Stardust to help pay for his food and medicine. I also collect food and buy turkeys for the food bank every year. This year, I’ve raised enough money to buy 20 turkeys so far, and I go door-to-door to collect food. One of the ladies who gave me food is also going to knit sweaters for the kids who go to Dorothy’s Place. For Halloween I am going to carve my pumpkin to say Show Your Smile instead of putting a face so that people remember to be happy.

What is the name and location of the organization?

Morgan: Dorothy’s Place Soup Kitchen, Salinas, CA; Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Lockwood, CA; Food Bank for Monterey County, Salinas, CA

Tell us about the project, especially who benefited from this work.

Morgan: All of the homeless and unhomeless people who don’t have enough money to buy food. And all of the horses and donkeys who have been hurt by people who don’t take care of them.

What inspired you to get involved?

Morgan: Because I just care. I really care, that’s all.

How did you first get involved? Give us some details.

Morgan: With my heart. My heart cares. I care. My mommy took me to Dorothy’s because I wanted to help.

What is/was the best thing about your experience?

Morgan: The best thing is that helping other people makes me all warm and comfortable and happy inside. I’m really glad I have a caring heart. The best thing is helping the people.

What is/was the hardest part?

Morgan: I don’t think I have a hard part.

What was the biggest surprise?

Morgan: About all of the money we’ve gotten to buy the turkeys.

What new things have you learned as a result of your experience and how have you changed as a result?

Morgan: I learned that helping can be fun. I wish everybody in the world had a house. It’s sad that some people have to live outside in the cold air. I learned that a lot of people don’t have a home and food.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of getting involved in philanthropy or volunteering?

Morgan: That it’s nice to help out with the homeless people because it would really help them a whole lot, and it would make them really happy.