In an inspiring display of community spirit, 16-year-old Abbigail Billings donated money to purchase 20,000 pounds of food for the Temple Food Pantry after raising the funds by making and selling caramel apples. Abbigail, a sophomore at Duncan High School, took action after learning about the growing need for food assistance in Southwest Oklahoma. “I’ve always wanted to give back, but I wanted to do something big, something that would really make a difference,” said Abbigail. “When I heard about the shortage at the food bank, I knew I could help.” A member of Cotton County 4-H, she has volunteered at local food banks and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, with guidance from 4-H Educator Kim Davis, who encourages members to step out of their comfort zones.
Abbigail began crafting homemade caramel apples, selling them to friends, family, and through an online fundraising campaign. “I wanted people to feel good about helping, knowing that their purchase was going directly toward providing food for those in need,” she explained. Her efforts paid off, enabling Temple Food Pantry to buy almost 10 tons of food. On Wednesday, she presented the donation, which will provide meals for hundreds of families throughout Southwest Oklahoma during the holiday season and beyond.
Temple Food Pantry Executive Director Ginger Tucker praised Abbigail’s generosity. “Abbigail’s donation is an incredible gift to our community. The food will make a huge difference for so many families, especially as we approach the holidays. We have never been able to order this much food. Usually, I am able to order 2 pallets of produce, but due to Abbigail’s hard work, we secured 5 ½ pallets.”
Abbigail’s parents, Chris and Teri Billings, expressed pride in their daughter’s initiative. “We always encouraged her to follow her heart, and she did just that,” said Teri. Along with the donation, Abbigail created a recipe book for each food box to help recipients maximize their meals. She hopes her story inspires other young people to get involved. “It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. I want others to know that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference.”
Looking ahead, Abbigail is already planning her next project. “I’m planning to keep doing things like this – finding new ways to help people and give back,” she said. “It feels so good to know I’ve done something good for my community.” With determination and a kind heart, Abbigail Billings has shown that even small efforts can create a lasting impact, one caramel apple at a time.
