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One Snack At A Time, Wyckoff Boy Fights Hunger

WYCKOFF, N.J. -- A third grader in Wyckoff is on a mission to feed the hungry, one snack at a time.

Jake Scoropanos is doing his part to stop hunger.

Jake Scoropanos is doing his part to stop hunger.

Photo Credit: Submitted

Jake Scoropanos, 9 years old and a student at Lincoln Elementary School, is ready to hit BJs with his parents and begin assembling over 400 "Snack Packs" with the almost $2,400 he raised on a GoFundMe page he launched Jan. 14.

"I’m surprised seeing how much money I keep raising," said Jake, who said he will keep at this even after he surpasses his goal of $2,500.

"Even people that don't know me donated. I was shocked."

A school lesson about community service got him thinking about doing a project and a television spot about hunger on "Ellen" woke him up to that particular issue.

"A teacher from North Carolina said a lot of his students came to school hungry. I thought I could do something to help with that," Jake said.

The Center for Food Action in Mahwah (CFA) told Jake they distribute Snack Packs so school-aged children on weekday meal plans get properly fed on the weekends.

A snack pack costs $4.50 and includes:

  • a small package of cereal
  • one fruit cup
  • a 100 percent juice box
  • a microwavable meal
  • a box of mac and cheese
  • a snack bar
  • a 2% milk box.

Jake said his parents, sister Sofia, 5, and brother Luke, 11, will help him make up each snack pack. If he has enough money to purchase 500 packs, the CFA will assist with the assembly line process.

The project made him feel good Jake said and made him realize that if he can make a difference at the age of 9, people older than him should pitch in.

"I'm only 9. People older than me can raise money and make the world a better place too. I learned a lot. if you just try and do good things, then good things happen."

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