This 5th-Grader is Racing to Get 100k Meals to People in Need Before Thanksgiving

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It cannot be argued that the coronavirus pandemic has left the world reeling, but it has also taught us some invaluable lessons about the nature of perseverance, the courage of conviction, and the gift of compassion.

Now, more than ever, young and old are inspired to make a positive difference in their communities. And few are more dedicated to giving back than Orion Jean, a fifth grader from North Texas.

This small but mighty public champion is on a mission. Their goal: to donate 100,000 meals to those in need before Thanksgiving.

“I ask everyone to join me in a race towards goodness”, Jean told CNN. “This has been a difficult year for everyone and now it is more important than ever to show support and love to those who need it.”

Right now, people living everywhere from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Dallas, Texas can go to a delivery point and donate a packaged meal containing a bottle of water, a piece of fruit, a bag of tuna or a cup of applesauce, a granola bar, and of course a positive message.

The food drive is not Jean’s first philanthropic endeavor. Last summer, she took first place in the Think Kindness National Speech Contest. “The question,” he noted in his winning entry, “is how can kindness change a nation?”

The Chisholm Ridge Elementary School student’s response spoke of a simple human truth that struck a chord in the hearts of the judges.

“The difficult situations that impact our world have shown us that kindness is more important now than ever,” he said. “We have heard about families suffering from this pandemic; the communities that suffer injustice and the people that are ON e-learning … We could use a big hug right now. And that’s it. Kindness is like giving hugs around the world to those who need it and those who may not even know they need it.

“Acts may be small, but in the end, they make a big difference to the person who receives them.”

Jean used the first prize of $ 500 to organize a follow-up project, Race to 500 Toys Drive. After collecting hundreds of donations, the toys were distributed to grateful hospitalized children in the Dallas area, but that was just the beginning.

For his current humanitarian outing, Jean has injected his philosophy of “better to give than to receive” with a true “Everything is bigger in Texas” attitude. So far, he has collected over 4,000 food donations in the “Run for 100,000 Foods.”

Jean has taken up the role model mantle with equal fervor. Igniting his 1,000-watt positive energy, he is making a call to welcome all who want to be a part of his personal crusade to spread compassion around the world, in hopes that they will join him in the race to goodness.

PLUS: Bullied 7-year-old boy opens a huge food pantry, turning his life into positive energy

“The best part? Everybody wins!”

(WATCH Orion’s Perfect Speech on Kindness Below).