He doesn’t want presents on his birthday, he wants food. And not for himself, but for those in need.
A few weeks before his birthday rolls around every year, nine-year-old Ethan Millman and his mother, Bobbi Millman, go around the city putting up posters for his birthday food drive.
The collections go directly to the Guelph Food Bank on his birthday, March 3.
The initiative began when Ethan was six years old. Bobbi said he didn’t want any presents at his birthday parties.
“I really don't like opening them. They’re very stressful,” said Ethan.
When he first started the food drive at the age of six, he collected roughly 30 pounds of food. Last year, he collected over 800 pounds.
“It climbed huge last year. We had a lot of supporters and put a lot more time and effort into it,” said Bobbi.
“Often we will post on Facebook groups and to our family, and often I'll get the list from the Guelph Food Bank of items they most need,” said Bobbi.
She said last year, Ethan received money that he put toward buying diapers and protein shakes for the Guelph Food Bank.
Bobbi said she hears many community members encouraging the initiative, and some even want to reward him for his selflessness.
She said last year, Ethan received letters from complete strangers. One lady even sent a box of food to donate and a gift card and movies for Ethan.
“I figured out for the first year that he would say 'no, I don't really want to do this again,'” said Bobbi, but this year, Ethan set a goal to collect 1,000 pounds of food for his 10th birthday this year. He wants to encourage other children to donate as well. He said he prefers the joy of giving over receiving presents.
“Many people need some things,” said Ethan, adding that the community just needs to be reminded to donate.
Bobbi drives around the neighbourhoods to collect food once people contact her through her email at [email protected]. If they want to drop off food at their home, that's fine too.
