'My heart just expands about a million miles'
The second annual Problem Solvers Food Drive held in memory of Brenden Foster was a huge success, thanks to the generous hearts of KOMO News viewers and readers.
The donations came one bag at a time, filling box after box at three Fred Meyer locations around Western Washington. The sight warmed the hearts of many, especially Brenden's mother, Wendy Foster.
"My heart just expands about a million miles," she said. "It's not like the loss last year; it's so much different this year. It's just amazing."
We first met Brenden last year. He was just 11, but losing his battle to leukemia and living on borrowed time. But Brenden wasn't worried about dying; he was worried about the homeless going hungry.
"I was coming back from one of my clinic appointments and I saw this big thing of homeless people. And then I thought I should just get them something," he said. "They're probably starving, so give'em a chance."
In his final days, the bed-bound boy was too sick to feed the hungry himself. So volunteers delivered sandwiches to the hungry on his behalf.
Brenden's dying wish inspired people all over the world, from Florida to India.
A men's shelter in Los Angeles renamed its kitchen after Brenden. And a Girl Scouts troop in Issaquah is collecting food in his memory. And the stories go on.
KOMO News held a huge food drive in Brenden's honor last year. Hundreds came out to honor Brenden's wish, and the drive was a huge success.
We stuffed six and a half trucks full of donated food. And generous souls helped raise more than $60,000 in cash donations. And along with the donations, many shared smiles and tears while talking about their inspiration, beloved Brenden.
Brenden saw TV coverage of the incredible turnout, and his family members said their sick boy was simply overjoyed amid his pain and discomfort.
And we wanted to make good on our promise again this year.
We held another food drive in Brenden's memory this year and despite the tough economic times, people did not turn their backs to the needy. The food drive brought out empathy from the elderly, compassion from the children.
At the Fred Meyer store in Renton, little Amaya and Masen donated every dollar they'd saved in their piggy bank.
"Because someday we might feel this way," said Amaya.
Brenden's message was even heard in Central Washington.
On Wednesday morning, the Fred Meyer store in Issaquah got a special delivery from Sunnyside: too many Granny Smith apples to count.
"It's a good feeling right before the holidays, and we'd like to keep doing that for years to come," said Jose Cervantes of the state Mexican Fruit Growers Coalition.
In total, we raised $46,481 and collected 55,000 pounds of food.
If you missed out on the food drive, you can still donate. You can make an online donation to the Problem Solvers Fund or bring non-perishable food to any Fred Meyer store location through Dec. 24.