Eli Shill is a nine-year-old in Ankeny, Iowa who wanted to help.

He noticed people standing on street corners asking for money in the cold, Iowa winter, and thought that maybe he could do something to make their situation better.

Eli set a goal to create kits that he and others could hand out to those folks in need. He enlisted the help of his family, particularly his mother, Emily Shill. She sat down with Eli to decide on some things that would be useful that they could put in a kit. They came up with a list, with Eli being specific about the snacks that would be included (Goldfish was his top choice). Other items included hand warmers, hand sanitizer, water bottles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and a warm blanket.

Emily then created a Facebook post, asking for donations to help with the kits. She said that Eli collected donations and put together the kits, and then he would give some of the kits back to those who had donated so that many people could participate in handing the kits out to those in need.

Eli collected enough donations for 52 kits, which are now being delivered to the donors and given out to those who are homeless or in meager circumstances.