Gen Z girl feeds 50 families by selling 261 items on the Depop resale app and donating the money to food banks
Nicole Bjornsen, an 18-year-old from San Mateo County, California, exemplifies the spirit of giving by turning her passion for fashion into a charitable mission. By selling 261 items on the Depop app, she raised $1,654, which she split between providing fresh meals for local families and supporting the Samaritan House food bank. Inspired by her grandmother's struggles with access to nutritious food, Bjornsen's initiative, Sweet Balance & CareLink, has directly impacted over 50 families, providing more than 200 meals.
Bjornsen's story is a testament to the power of combining personal interests with social good. Her approach requires minimal resources—just a closet, a phone, and the Depop app—showing that significant community impact is achievable without grandiose plans or large sums of money. Her work not only demonstrates entrepreneurial skills but also offers a replicable model for others who wish to contribute to their communities in simple yet effective ways.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The challenge of food insecurity and rising food costs affecting families in San Mateo County.
- The actions
- Nicole Bjornsen sells clothes on Depop, donating proceeds to provide meals and support local food banks.
- Evidence of progress
- She has raised $1,654 and provided over 200 meals to 50 families, with half of the funds going to the Samaritan House food bank.
- What we can learn
- Others can start small community initiatives with existing resources and personal interests, leveraging platforms like Depop for social good.
PERMA profile of this story
How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.
- Positive Emotion
- 8
- Engagement
- 9
- Relationships
- 7
- Meaning
- 8
- Accomplishment
- 9
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Gratitude
Bjornsen was inspired by her grandma... 'My grandma came to the U.S. from Ukraine, and she lived with us for a few years.'
Hope
Bjornsen hopes to inspire others to help their local communities by reselling clothes.
Perseverance
My first $1,000 took about four months, and it grew faster once people saw I was serious.
Kindness
Her heart to help others feed themselves came from her immigrant grandmother.
Try this today
Consider a hobby or interest you have and brainstorm ways it could benefit your community. Start small, perhaps by volunteering a few hours or using the proceeds from a sale to support a local cause, and observe the impact of your efforts.