8-year-old gives back to community

Teaching children about giving back can be tricky for parents. That's why the Tingler family of Rocklin took a hands-on approach to teach 8-year-old Luke Tingler. During the election season, Luke Tingler's curiosity was spurred and he became intrigued about how to help people in the area, his mother Manndie Tingler said. "Luke has had a very privileged life. He's very blessed with everything that he has," Manndie said. "He was struggling with understanding that not everybody has it as good as he does."As a family, they brainstormed ways Luke could help his community. What they came up with has not only given back to people in need, but boosted Luke's self confidence and helped him get acquainted with his neighbors. Since mid-November Luke has dropped off empty grocery bags throughout his neighborhood, asking for donations. To date, he's collected 38 bags full of hygiene products, canned meat and other food items, Manndie said. Every week, Luke drops off bags to different neighborhoods with a pick-up date. Later that week, he goes from house to house picking up the bags – many of them with encouraging notes from neighbors and one with more than a $100 donation – and brings them to the Loomis Basin Food Closet in Penryn. Manndie said this ongoing project is fully Luke's idea and doing – from the letter that's attached to the bags, to picking them up – Luke is behind it all."Because of the current economy I have been worried about other kids my age and their families not having enough food to eat," Luke's letter states. "Thank you for helping me feed the hungry!" "It was very much so in his own language," Manndie said. Although time consuming, Luke typed it on the computer himself as well.Part of what has made this experience memorable for Luke is that he understands having to work for something, as not everything comes easily, Manndie said. "School is not the easiest thing for him," she said. "This whole experience has made him feel good about something."So far, he has delivered bags to approximately 60 houses in his neighborhood and hopes to continue it through the New Year."Hunger is an ongoing, year-round problem," Manndie said. One of the reasons Luke wanted to start this community project was to give people something they need."Some people don't have enough money and food," Luke said. "They don't have food to eat."