News Article

6-year-old wages own battle against hunger

By LISA AURAND

Published: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 4:56 PM EDT

Ryan Murnane doesn't yet have a strong history of follow through, according to his mother.

The 6-year-old lasted just two games in T-ball, Karen Murnane said. And Ryan's interest in ice skating waned after only one session in the rink.

But once he heard that there were hungry people in Westerville, where his family lives, he would not stop talking about how much he wanted to help, Mrs. Murnane said.

"It started when we were saying prayers and he prayed for the people in Africa, China and Texas that 'don't have any food or cups,' " Mrs. Murnane said.

Hoping to encourage Ryan's helpful instinct, she called Westerville Area Resource Ministry, printed fliers and let Ryan lead a food drive in his neighborhood.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, the Murnanes delivered sacks of groceries, which Ryan collected by going door to door with a wagon, to the WARM food pantry at 175 E. Broadway Ave.

"Yesterday I picked up the foods," said Ryan, who is enrolled in kindergarten at Fouse Elementary School this year.

Coordinator Karen Stempko gave Ryan and his mother a brief tour of the food pantry and explained how it works.

WARM clients must live in the Westerville school district and if unemployed, begin the process of finding work through WARM to be eligible for food from the pantry. Permanently disabled, elderly, and residents who meet certain income requirements also are eligible for aid, coordinator Diane Koehler said.

At the food pantry, clients are given lists that show them how many and which items they are allowed to take. The amount is based on family size, coordinator Karen Stempko said.

Ryan eagerly unloaded groceries from the back of the family van and watched on tiptoe as volunteers weighed each bag. Along with volunteers, he moved cans and boxes to the shelves of the food pantry, which served 1,090 Westerville families and delivered 119,000 pounds of food and supplies in the first six months of 2007.

Koehler, WARM Executive Director Scott Marier and Stempko thanked Ryan for his help.

Ryan's donations weighted in at 143 pounds -- enough to feed two families of four for a week, Marier said.

"That's a substantial contribution, regardless of age," Marier said.

Mrs. Murnane said Ryan probably will be back with more donations soon.

"He was saying on the way over here that he wants to do it 'winter, spring and summer and fall,' " Mrs. Murnane said.

Those interested in collecting donations for WARM or volunteering can contact the ministry at 614-899-0196, Stempko said. The pantry also has a 24-hour drop box for donations.

"That's a substantial contribution, regardless of age."

 

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