Three friends in Grade 6 baked 2,000 cookies to raise money for Kitchener's Ray of Hope

If you think you have a lot of holiday baking ahead, Ella Morris, Megan Peebles and Charlotte Sinclair probably have you beat.

These Grade 6 girls baked roughly 2,000 cookies yes, 2,000! to raise money for Ray of Hope, a local charity that helps provide food and services to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

They surprised the organization with $1,200 that they raised from their cookie sales.

"We wanted to help out the community and we know that Ray of Hope does a great job in helping the less fortunate get meals and have a better life, so we decided on them," Ella said.

Megan said they baked more than 160 dozen chocolate chip cookies for the fundraiser, while Charlotte said the group sold them to friends, family and through their church youth group.

They also sold them totheir teachers at Kitchener's Jean Steckle Public School.

50,000 meals

Ray of Hope provides meals, addiction and mental health supports and offers people help in finding employment. Throughout the pandemic, the charity has boosted its hours of operation and gone from serving one meal a day to having three separate sittings.

The chief executive officer for Ray of Hopesaid it's "incredible" to know that children are trying to help people in their community.

"It really shows the depth of people's compassion for others and we're just so blessed," Tonya Verburg said.

Verburg said Ray of Hope has seen more demand for services since the pandemic began and has served 50,000 meals in the past year.

The three girls said they feel proud to have helped Ray of Hope and theyhope they've inspired others to pay it forward.

"That's definitely the hope, that other people will do their part in the community," Ella said. "If other people did their part, who knows what could happen."

Financial donations can be made online through Ray of Hope's website and item donations are always welcomed, Verburg said, adding that anyone in need can contact them.

"We don't ask questions, if you need help just come to the door and we'll provide whatever support we can," she said.

For those considering taking part in our Sounds of the Season campaign, you canmake a donation directly to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region here.