St. Louis-area teen obtains grant for philanthropy
Sophie Bernstein planted her first garden when she was only 11. Now, at age 15, she has just won a $36,000 grant from the Hellen Diller Family Foundation.
The award recognizes teens throughout the nation for their philanthropic works. Sophie's entire family is dedicated to helping others. Her older sister and brother organized various projects as well as founding VolunTEEN Nation, which connects college students and teens to volunteer opportunities.
Sophie, however, felt these projects were not for her—she describes herself as “more outdoorsy”, so she planted her first garden, and within a year, was producing so much she was able to donate fresh produce to a local food pantry.
The pantry managers invited her to take a tour, and Sophie discovered there were few healthy foods available to the pantry’s clients. She decided to help by planting other gardens in the area.
She chose to locate her projects, called Go Healthy St. Louis, near community centers and schools that serve low-income families, so the children could help her tend the garden and, simultaneously, learn the importance of eating vegetables and fruits. She continues to donate produce to food banks.
Sophie plans to continue her garden project, and could work with brochure printers to create a booklet about the project, and make it available in grocery and specialty food stores in St. Louis and throughout the area.
The award recognizes teens throughout the nation for their philanthropic works. Sophie's entire family is dedicated to helping others. Her older sister and brother organized various projects as well as founding VolunTEEN Nation, which connects college students and teens to volunteer opportunities.
Sophie, however, felt these projects were not for her—she describes herself as “more outdoorsy”, so she planted her first garden, and within a year, was producing so much she was able to donate fresh produce to a local food pantry.
The pantry managers invited her to take a tour, and Sophie discovered there were few healthy foods available to the pantry’s clients. She decided to help by planting other gardens in the area.
She chose to locate her projects, called Go Healthy St. Louis, near community centers and schools that serve low-income families, so the children could help her tend the garden and, simultaneously, learn the importance of eating vegetables and fruits. She continues to donate produce to food banks.
Sophie plans to continue her garden project, and could work with brochure printers to create a booklet about the project, and make it available in grocery and specialty food stores in St. Louis and throughout the area.