Instead of Presents, Oak Forest Teen Asks for Donations to Food Pantry for Christmas

Most 13-year-olds make a long wish list for Christmas or their birthday, but Marley Majetic has had one simple wish for the past three years: food for the hungry.

One trip to San Francisco when Marley was 10 dramatically changed the way she looks at life, and she's asking others in Oak Forest to take a second look too.

"Three years ago on her birthday and Christmas, she asked that all her money go to food for the homeless so we gathered her money and bought food," Marley's mother, Lisa Hines, said. "My dad had a Sam's Club membership so we bought as much food as possible with the money but then we didn't know where to bring it so we asked our church."

Their church, Tinley Park Community Church, regularly donated to the Tinley Park Food Pantry, so Marley and her mother decided to donate food to the pantry on Marley's birthday every October and on Christmas.

"When I went to San Francisco, I saw a lot of homeless people and my mom suggested we give them fruit," Marley said. "It made me realize that I have all I need and some people don't have anything."

Because of that one experience, Marley now strives to feed the poor and her idea has spread throughout her community. Her friends, family, church and even the city of Oak Forest have taken up her plight.

Word about Marley's mission spread throughout the church, and people liked the idea so much that they placed "Marley Project" jugs at the back of church. Once the jugs fill with change throughout the year, Marley and her mother shop and bring food to the Tinley Park Food Pantry.

The family is happy they were able to provide so much food to Tinley Park, but their goal for this upcoming year is to provide food to residents in Oak Forest through Food Pantry, especially since the residents of Oak Forest have taken on a bigger role in donations this year.

The city of Oak Forest and the Youth Commission have decided to help by setting up a bin for non-perishable items at City Hall.

"Everybody was really surprised that a kid like me would want to do this," Marley said.

Hines said Mayor Hank Kuspa was so impressed that he called her personally to say he wanted to help.

Hines stressed the Marley Project collects donations and food items year-round, not just at Christmas. They now are in the process of making Marley Project a government-recognized nonprofit organization. Both Marley and her mother said they would like the Marley Project to have its own pantry in Oak Forest in the future.

For more information or to get involved, call Oak Forest .