BELMONT, Mich., — Inside 12-year-old Riley Homer’s bedroom, a sewing machine that once belonged to her grandmother sits proudly on her desk. Homer has become quite skilled at using the machine to craft gift bags of all different sizes.
“I’ve always loved it, but sometimes it was difficult,” explained Homer. “The gift bags was a way I could give back.”
Homer caught the “sewing bug” from her grandmother, who began teaching her when she was in the second grade. She’s since made hundreds of bags that sell anywhere from $1 dollar to $3 dollars, depending on the size. Homer has donated all the money she’s raised– just over $2,000 thousand dollars– to God’s Kitchen in Grand Rapids.
“My grandmother was a strong believer in God’s Kitchen, she had volunteered there a few times,” she said. “I think it’s a great cause.”
The sixth grader has kept the project going, despite losing her grandmother nearly two years ago.
“My mom was a very giving person and I just feel like Riley got that,” said Kathy Homer, the girl’s mom.
“We’re very proud of her, she’s doing a good thing,” added her dad, Kenzie Homer. “Hopefully it’s an inspiration to other people.”
Homer said she has no plans of stopping her “sewing business” anytime soon. She has also recently started to volunteer at the community soup kitchen.
For more information on God’s Kitchen, click here.