Mason Ridings, a 12-year-old middle school student, repeatedly saw and heard hardship stories of individuals and families having tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic  He has always had a very caring and compassionate nature and wanted to do something to help.

His plan was to have a drive-by and money donation collection on the driveway of his home on Tanglebrook Trail.

His mother, Kim, spread the word on social media and interest started building quickly. The drive was from noon-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. He had a lot of help from his siblings, Ava, Caroline and Cooper, his cousin, Justin, and a neighbor, Logan, along with other family members. There was a steady stream of cars from not only the Clemmons West neighborhood, but throughout the whole region.

When all the donations were boxed and weighed, he collected more than 1,000 pounds of food and amazingly more than $1,700 in cash and checks.  The monetary collections will provide approximately 12,000 meals for families in our area. The food and money were donated to Clemmons Food Pantry, an agency of Second Harvest Food Bank.