Eight-year-old Philanthropist Raises Over $1,000 for Food Bank

By Kara Witsoe, Volunteer

There’s no age limit to generosity, as proved by 8-year-old Olive Wooster. The young girl from Seattle recently held a bake sale as her second-annual fundraiser for the Ballard Food Bank, raising much-needed food and funds to help our neighbors in need.

Olive learned about food scarcity after several conversations with her parents Sara and Jon Wooster during the pandemic. “Olive would get really upset seeing folks asking for money or food on the side of the road, asking why we couldn't feed or house everyone,” said her mother Sara. 

One day, Olive happened to notice the Ballard Food Bank. “I first learned about the food bank when we drove by, and I asked what the building was. I wanted to raise money because I love helping people and know that not everyone has access to food or hygiene products,” she reflected. “It’s important for me to help others because we have what we need, and I know some people don’t have enough.” 

After completing kindergarten, Olive decided to raise money by hosting a lemonade stand in July 2022. She and her parents collected $200 and 300 pounds of product. This year, Olive dedicated part of her summer vacation to raising even more money for the food bank. “I told all my friends at school and drew a poster, and we put it all over Magnolia,” she said. Olive and her dad advertised the bake sale at Magnolia Village and throughout her neighborhood, where she explained the event to each business owner and neighbor.

The bake sale, held in July, offered an extensive and popular selection of items including lemonade, coffee, bread, bagels, focaccia, cookies, brownies and other treats. With the help of her parents, Olive raised an astonishing amount – more than $1,000 plus 300 pounds of food and other items for the Ballard Food Bank.

Bake sale organizer Olive with her dog

Olive plans to make this fundraiser an annual event. “Our neighbors are expecting it, and we can make a big deal within our community,” shared Sara. “This event has allowed folks to start talking about these issues. One neighbor mentioned not knowing how to have this conversation and the bake sale gave them a chance to talk about this with their kids.”

Before starting second grade in the fall, Olive is spending some of her free time learning to play the guitar from her father, listening to Taylor Swift songs, and making bracelets for her friends – and serving as an inspiration to an entire community.