[March 08, 2009] The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Kim Hasty column: Child's selfless request helps feed the hungry Tweet Mar 08, 2009 (The Fayetteville Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- At 9 years old, Elisabeth Samel was finally going to have her first real birthday party. A cake with nine candles. Party guests and games. Balloons and birthday presents -- the best part for many a birthday girl. For her family, it had been a hectic and often stressful nine years. Between living overseas, her father's deployments and assorted family illnesses, Elisabeth's birthdays had been celebrated only with her parents and a family friend or two. This year, her mother vowed, would be different. About a year ago, the two were listening as a radio announcer talked about the fact that local food banks were struggling. Elisabeth decided then what she wanted for her next birthday. "She asked if she could ask children to bring food for a food drive instead of presents,'' said Lisa Samel. "I told her that it was a wonderful, heartfelt idea.'' When it came time for the party and the presents, Elisabeth didn't forget. She asked her birthday guests to bring canned goods and other nonperishable food items. No presents. The five young guests responded with 20 pounds of food. A neighbor gave Elisabeth $10 as a present, but she used that to buy rice. As it turns out, Elisabeth's birthday unselfishness will help fuel the festivities on March 21 when Deliverance Christian Temple holds its Praise and Family Day. There will be hot dogs and music and horseback rides. And there will be bags of food to help hungry families. It was Elisabeth's kindness that helped fill those bags and stock the church's pantry. "It was awesome,'' said Dewey Malloy, the church's pastor. "It's amazing how the Lord opens the door.'' Malloy is accustomed to receiving unexpected blessings. A former inmate who converted to Christianity while in jail, his ministry has been steadily growing. His members also use their pantry to feed the hungry on Friday nights. "We've been blessed,'' he said. "And now we're giving back.'' In the end, Elisabeth was left with no presents. But to her, the day was perfect. "I had the best birthday party ever,'' she said. Community news editor Kim Hasty can be reached at [email protected] or 323-4848, ext. 478. Help us to better serve you by answering this quick survey! To see more of The Fayetteville Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fayettevillenc.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]