New Berlin kids start food drive, help fill community pantry



NEW BERLIN (WITI) -- Boxes upon boxes of food are taking over 17-year-old Taylor Harmon's basement. But they won't be there for long.

"It just makes me so happy and I just love being able to see the faces when you go there on a Wednesday and you`re handing out the food to the families in need," said Taylor.

It was eight years ago when Taylor and her younger brother Zach decided they wanted to do something to make a difference.

"We were watching American Idol Gives Back and we saw all of these families that really needed help and we just really wanted to be able to do something," said Taylor.

The two siblings began donating money to the New Berlin Food Pantry and eventually started their own food drive called the Z-Drive, named after Zach.

Through the years, the Z-Drive has dramatically grown.

"In the last 7 years, we`ve collected about 10,000 items and over $7,000 for the pantry," said Zach and Taylor's mom Sue.

With those donations the Harmon's were able to feed countless families and help the New Berlin Food Pantry purchase two refrigerators to store perishable food items.

"The pride, I can`t even describe it. I`m so proud of what they do. They truly do want to give back," said Sue.

With Zach being busy with school, Taylor has taken over the annual food drive with the help of the family.

And she has no plans of giving it up.

"I want to keep this on for as long as I live," said Taylor.

The Harmon's are hosting the Z-Drive through March 31st.

To donate, you can call the Harmon's at 414-531-0241 or e-mail them at zdrivenbpantry@gmail.com.