He's planning a food giveaway this weekend to feed more than 150 families.
He's bright. He's kind, and he's only 7 years old.
Alex Anning has a birthday this weekend. But instead of a big party or lots of presents, he's hoping to make a difference.
Anning can bag groceries in record time.
It's not exactly how the average 7-year-old prepares for a birthday.
But Anning is on a mission.
"I just feel sad that they don't have food," Anning said.
This all started when he saw an unhoused person on the street in need of something to eat.
Anning says doing nothing just didn't feel right.
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"Because usually when I see a homeless person and I don't have time to get my money I cry," Anning said.
So, instead of having a birthday party this Saturday, he came up with a different idea.
"He decided for his eighth birthday this year that he would do a food drive and feed 150 people, and try to make a difference for individuals who are both unhoused and just food insecure and need a little extra help to get by," his mother said.
His mom says the timing couldn't be more critical, as millions of Americans could go without food assistance benefits because of the government shutdown.
"This is coming at a time where this is of great need and increased. So it really is in God's time that Alexander was motivated to help," his mother said.
It's a mission Anning is taking seriously, going to different grocery stores to get exactly what he thinks is necessary.
"Alex was very hands-on and a little bossy with the grocery shopping. He's like, 'mom, can you please scoot over there a little bit,'" his mom said.
He's a boy on a mission determined to help fill the need one item at a time.
"Because it helps the community, and it helps the Earth go stronger," he said.
Anning and his mom have a non-profit called Season to Soar, which helps Chicago-area residents from underserved communities.
Saturday's food giveaway is from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bond Elementary, located at 7050 S. May St., on the South Side.