Izzy and the Candy Palace: One Girl’s Way of Helping Others

Courtesy The Candy Palace

At just 9 years old, Isabel J. authored a book. But that wasn’t enough for the precocious pre-teen — she wanted her publication to help kids in need, too.

So with the help of her mom, Michelle, Isabel (last name withheld) parlayed her project, titled Izzy and the Candy Palace ($19), into a fund-raiser, with 100 percent of proceeds from her book sales benefiting the Kids Cafe after-school food program of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

“I was very sad that many kids don’t have food and I wanted to help,” Isabel tells PEOPLE Moms & Babies. “I couldn’t imagine a kid just like me not having enough food to eat.”

Isabel first learned about Kids Cafe after touring Second Harvest with her mom.

“My mom showed me how much food was needed for the Food Bank to feed so many children almost every day of the week,” she explains. “My writing is what I really love to do, so I wanted to write a story that could help kids and that all kids could enjoy reading.”

Izzy and the Candy Palace centers on a girl named Izzy who stops a “well-meaning monster” from burying her town in candy. “I love candy,” she shares. “I’m only allowed to have it every once in awhile as a treat!”

Courtesy The Candy Palace

Illustrated by J.H. Everett, the book has inspired a new biennial children’s writing contest through the Candy Palace Program.

Kids from 15 Orange County schools will be able to submit their works for consideration, and the winning manuscript will be illustrated and published, with 100 percent of proceeds going to Kids Cafe, just as Isabel wished.

“I think it will be really fun to read the stories that are written and sent in by other kids,” she says. And she plans to keep writing, too. “Hopefully one day my books will help kids all across the country.”

— Kate Hogan

Comments

Sweet and well intentioned.

But I have volunteered at an after school organization in downtown Los Angeles long enough to see that the kids aren’t starving… they have parents who see no reason to pack a lunch or snack when they can get it for free somewhere else.

We have a food surplus here in the US and children are not “starving” unless it is a specific case of abuse where a parent is withholding food or extremely negligent. We actually have a food surplus, and Orange county is one of the most prosperous areas in the United States. Anyone living below the poverty line can apply for food stamps, and breakfast/lunch at school is provided for no cost.

So, the problem is not starvation, it is a lack of parental involvement and responsibility. Many of the students served by after school programs like Kids Cafe either have parents who have to work and are using the service as day care, or they have some kind of drug/alcohol problem that prevents them from properly caring for their child.

So while this book seems to be a genuine attempt by a young girl to address an issue she is concerned about, the problem really isn’t starvation, it’s irresponsible parenting.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2553219/do_people_at_food_banks_really_need.html?cat=49

- fuzibuni on February 16th, 2011

fuzibuni – I find your comments very offensive. I’m sure there are cases where lack of parental involvement/responsibility is to blame, but I believe most people who receive assistance from these programs truly need it. Children may not be “starving” but i”m sure many are going hungry and not getting enough to eat at home. And in many cases, I’m sure the parents are doing everything they can to keep any amount of food on the table. More often than not, food stamps are not going to be enough to feed a family for an entire month. The meals these kids get at school or through groups like Second Harvest are probably the only actual meals many kids get.

And Orange County may be one of the most prosperous areas in the US, but it also home to numerous celebrities which accounts for a huge gap in income. Click link below to read about the increase in poverty figures in Orange County:

http://articles.ocregister.com/2009-11-29/news/24664175_1_poverty-rate-poverty-statistics-subsidized-meals

- Chrisy on February 16th, 2011

As someone who lives in Orange County, and is not a celebrity nor am I below the poverty level, I can tell you that there are alot more people in need of food than you hear about. Our school did a food drive for our own school to help 32 of our families who do not have enough food at home. We have a high percentage of kids who qualify for free breakfast and lunch and that is where they receive the bulk of their food for the day. Are there irresponsible parents? Absolutely. But I can tell you that the majority are well intentioned parents, who work hard but still just cannot afford to feed their kids the HEALTHY food the Kids Cafe offers to them. It is a great resource for the parents that need it.

- Kristien on February 16th, 2011

This is beyond sweet and well intentioned. I’m inspired and I applaud anyone who has the drive and initiative to do what this child is doing. How great is it that this kid creates an entrepreneurial way to raise private funds to feed hungry children?

- Inspired on February 16th, 2011

A child’s genuine care for her peers is remarkable. Let’s not be critical when youth does something admirable to help others. We need to encourage adults and chilren alike to make this world a better place. Bless you for your care.

- jo on February 17th, 2011

I just hope it’s out of genuine concern and not what her mother decided would look great on her application to Harvard…

- Stella Bella on February 17th, 2011

Fuzibuni- I sincerely hope your response is not based on the linked article in your argument. Amy B is obviously projecting her actions on to others and just because she took advantage of the kindness of others does not mean that is the case for everyone, or even the majority. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases

On hunger in Orange County: 44% of public school children NEED the free and reduced lunch program and when I say need, the program is based the Federal Poverty Level http://www.ochealthinfo.com/occp/report/. The Federal Poverty Level for a family of four is $22,050 and then for every additional family member or child add $3,740. The income requirement is the same in North Dakota as in Orange County so I think you bring up a great point when you say that Orange County is an affluent area, but what you fail to see is effect it has on the cost of living. According to the 2010 OC Community Indicators Report, the hourly wage needed to rent a ONE-bedroom apartment in Orange County is $25.69 or $53,440 a year http://www.ocpartnership.net/file_2010_community_indicators.pdf. To be fair, an average rent in a low-income neighborhood for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,616 or $19,392 annually http://www.mynewplace.com/city/santa-ana-apartments-for-rent-california. Another important thing to remember here is these children are our future and while some of these children receiving assistance may have access to food it may not be the most nutritious foods. In fact, according to a study from UCLA’s School of Public Health children from low-income families are 3 times more likely to become obese as an adult than their affluent counter parts http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/Teen_Barriers_PB_1208.pdf.

- Facts on February 17th, 2011

Stella Bella, I have never met any group as dedicated to their causes as middle schoolers. Sure, most of them don’t have a cause, but those who do are more dedicated than most adults I know, ang I know quite a lot of aid workers, social workers, environmental activists and others who work for worthy causes, but hardly any of them is as dedicated as a middle schooler with a cause.

- MiB on February 18th, 2011

Let’s just hope that Stella Bella and fuzibuni never are in need! I too have witnessed the heart of students when there is a worthy cause to be provided for. They do not hesitate to step up to the plate and they always hit a homerun! It happens several times a year in my school! Shame on you naysayers!

- bonidoni on June 5th, 2011