He did it! Orion Jean, a fifth grader from Fort Worth, set out to collect 100,000 meals for those in need for Thanksgiving and he has reached his goal. He called it his Race to 100,000 Meals. He actually collected 100,984, to be exact.
“I want to first of all thank everybody who has joined the race to kindness by starting your own drop off events, packing meals and sending monetary donations,” Jean said in a video he sent to NBC 5.
He also thanked the community partners and businesses that helped make it all possible.
“I would like to thank our special partners including Chobani who donated 100,000 yogurt cups, Central Market, Fort Worth Amazon Logistics and Whole Foods Team, Kendra Scott, Ford, Purposeful people and most of all Tango Tab for having this whole thing coordinated,” Jean said.
Jean's race to 100,000 meals has even gotten him national attention, but the focus has always been on those in need.
“For those who are struggling through this pandemic, I just wanted you to know we are there for you, we care for you and we love you,” Jean said. "The reason I started this project is because I saw so many people on the streets without food, clothes or things we take for granted and just being able to help in the smallest way made this experience fulfilling."
Jean hopes his Race to Kindness will encourage others to be kind.
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"I've learned humility, I've learned to appreciate what I have and I've learned that when the world stops, kindness keeps going, and you too, can do an act of kindness," said Jean.
He still needs help packing the meals.
If you would like to join the Race to Kindness team, they will be at Backyard at 505 Good Latimer Expressway in Dallas Saturday, Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In September, Jean's Race to Kindness campaign also collected and donated more than 600 toys to Children's Health in Dallas.
