CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Most kids, they ask for presents or a big party for their birthday.
Yet, for one Cape Coral teenager, she is holding a food drive instead to help those less fortunate in Southwest Florida.
“It all started when I was in elementary school, I saw one of my classmates who didn’t have much to eat during lunch,” said Sarah Cabrera. “So I shared half of my lunch with her and from there I wanted to help others.”
Sarah Cabrera had her very first food drive when she was just 11 years old.
“I started with the goal of just a 100 pounds of food,” said Cabrera.
And every year since, her goal has just gotten bigger and bigger.
“This year, I decided to go big so I did for my 18th birthday to do 18,000 pounds of food,” said Cabrera.
So far, she’s raised nearly 16,000 pounds of food with the help from many businesses and agencies in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
“It’s kind of nice knowing other people have my back on it,” said Cabrera.
She’s gone around dropping off and picking up food donations to take to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
“My heart aches knowing there’s people who go home on an empty stomach or kids who don’t get the proper nutrition they need,” said Cabrera.
Sarah’s 18 for 18th food drive ends May 31, one month before her birthday.
“This honestly would be the greatest birthday present I could ever receive if people come out and celebrate my birthday by feeding others,” said Cabrera.
If you would like to help Sarah’s birthday wish come true, you can drop off non-perishable at several locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
You can also donate money on Sarah's GoFundMe page.
