Community Corner

Domestic Hunger is 'Unbearable' for Area Teen

Student started a company called Unbearable Hunger to raise money for Feeding America.

When Blake Mycoskie visited Willow Creek Community Church to talk about his business that provides shoes to the needy, Taylor Sorrells knew that she, too, could make a difference.

Sorrells decided to start a business called Unbearable Hunger that aims to provide food the needy right here in the United States.

"Domestic hunger is a big deal to me," said Sorrells. "People are barely making ends meet."

Her goal is to not only bring awareness to domestic hunger but to also donate funds to Feeding America through the sale of teddy bears. Sorrells said she was moved by Mycoskie's story of starting his company, TOMS Shoes, which donates a pair of shoes to a needy child each time someone purchases a pair on the site. Sorrells also read Mycoskie's book, Start Something that Matters.

Sorrells said she realized that "being a teen, I think you can start something."

The junior worked with her parents, Tom and Shari of Lake Zurich, to start her company. Sorrells credits her mom with deciding the name, Unbearable Hunger. The company's website went live just last week.

The process is simple. Sorrells said people can buy a teddy bear for $20. The proceeds are then donated to Feeding America.

"They're the nation's top distributor to food pantries," said Sorrells. The organization helps feed 37 million people every year, she added.

Each $20 bear can provide 50 meals, Sorrells said.

"People are so willing to help other countries, but when it's our country, our state, our own cities, it's harder to think about," she said. The statistics regarding hunger in the United States are alarming, Sorrells added. As Feeding America reports on its website, the United States Department of Agriculture says that "48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households" in 2010.

"It's so easy to overlook the issue," said Sorrells. "Take the chance. This is a super easy way to donate 50 meals."

So far, she has sold bears to family and friends. However, her parents' new business at Deer Park Town Center, , has bears for sale. People can also buy the bears by using PayPal on the Unbearable Hunger site. Each bear wears an Unbearable Hunger t-shirt.

Her mom, Shari, is proud of her daughter.

"It's amazing," said Shari. "She definitely stands out as someone who thinks of people other than herself."

Shari added that when people in need are debating whether to pay their bills or buy food for their families, "food really shouldn't be secondary, but it is in many homes."

Sorrells hopes Unbearable Hunger will make a difference.

"I'm excited — and I'm also hoping it'll inspire other teens," she said.

Aside from being a high school student and running her own company, Sorrells is active at Willow Creek Community Church and W. Kim Tae Kwon Do in Palatine.


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