Oxford sisters aim to collect four tons of food for Thanksgiving
Hazel and Alice Nicosia have raised donations for seven years, exceeding last year's goal as they prepare to load a semitruck for Lighthouse of Michigan.
By Vikram Harrison ·
Hazel Nicosia, 11, and her sister Alice, 9, have set a goal of collecting four tons of food for their annual fall drive in Oxford, Michigan. The sisters, who have organized the event for the past seven years, intend to beat last year's three-ton total. Volunteers loaded a semitruck belonging to Lighthouse of Michigan on Sunday to transport the donations.
The food drive began when Hazel was four years old. She saw a homeless man on the street and asked her parents how they could help him. Her mother, Holly Nicosia, suggested they find an organization to support instead of trying to help an individual who was 30 minutes away. That conversation led to the partnership with Lighthouse of Michigan, which serves more than 150,000 people through its food program.
Hazel Nicosia said their goal is to gather as much food as possible to help people. Alice Nicosia noted that she enjoys helping because some people need assistance from time to time. The sisters now rally friends from school to participate and deliver collection boxes to small local businesses.
Their mother, Holly Nicosia, said the girls show enthusiasm for the project as soon as the leaves start turning in the fall. She recalled asking herself each year if the girls would still want to do it, only to find them eager to begin. Their father, Jacob Nicosia, said he is pleased to see the children learning to give to an organization that provides direct aid.
Hazel Nicosia pointed out how much larger the effort has become since its start. She remembered using her father's car for the initial collections, whereas this year they are using the large Lighthouse of Michigan truck. The expansion reflects the growing community involvement in the drive.
Holly Nicosia said she would hate to be in a situation where no one was there to help her. She said the family will continue the effort as long as they are able. Hazel Nicosia said the work makes her feel good because she knows many things are expensive and not everyone can afford them right now.
The food collected in the drive will be distributed to households in Southeast Michigan. Lighthouse of Michigan will handle the final delivery to those who need it most before Thanksgiving.
