ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Florida Senator Jeff Brandes brought his four preteen children — Lottie, Lizzie, Colin and Conor — to Feeding Tampa Bay events, he was proud of their response.
“They wanted to do even more,” the beaming dad says.
And they have. The talented Brandes kids aren’t just working at the nonprofit’s mobile food pantries — packing cars with fresh produce, milk and meats — they’re also raising money to help feed families in need.
Led by 12-year-old Lottie, the Brandes crew started “Helping hArt,” selling their own original artwork on Instagram and Facebook.
It’s colorful, it’s fun and it’s helping a lot of people.
“I just wanted to give back to the community because they’ve given a lot to me,” says Lottie, no doubt making her dad even prouder.
So far, the entrepreneurial Brandes crew (plus artist mom Natalie) has sold 60-some pieces and has raised more than $2,500.
