WATCH: Local teen bringing Sweets on the Streets to those in need

In case of rain, Sweets on the Streets will take place on the Jackson House porch, 705 Malvern Ave., shown behind Lakeside freshman EAST student Elijah Evans-Hughes. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record
In case of rain, Sweets on the Streets will take place on the Jackson House porch, 705 Malvern Ave., shown behind Lakeside freshman EAST student Elijah Evans-Hughes. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record

While organizations and businesses around town are gearing up for holiday events, one group is starting a new holiday outreach of its own.

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a small group of volunteers will be giving away milk and cookies to those in need in the parking lot of the Family Dollar at the corner of Malvern Avenue and Jefferson Street -- and they're calling it Sweets On The Streets.

"This is basically my own idea, I wanted to do it and now my dream has become reality," Elijah Evans-Hughes said.

Since a young age, around 5 or 6, Evans-Hughes has felt passionate about helping those in need. His first idea was to give stuffed animals and blankets to the homeless for Christmas when he was a child.

Around the same time, he found a passion and started dreaming of a future restaurant called Milk and Cookies.

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Now a freshman at Lakeside High School, Evans-Hughes is part of the school's EAST program and has come up with the perfect project for the holidays. He decided to combine the two ideas from his childhood and give something sweet to those who may need it most.

"Then in high school," Evans-Hughes said. "I had the idea that I should combine the two together by delivering milk and cookies to homeless people for free."

The event is set to take place on his birthday, making it even sweeter for the soon-to-be 15-year-old. Evans-Hughes has high-functioning autism and wants people to know that people can help others and follow their dreams even with a disability.

"We mainly are going to focus on chocolate chip," he said, expecting to serve 50-100 people, they also plan to make sugar cookies and hot chocolate. They will also give out gloves and hats. In the future, they plan to provide other food, as well.

In the event of inclement weather, the group plans to set up on the porch of the Jackson House. Whatever cookies are left over will be taken to a local homeless shelter so nothing goes to waste.

As his event's banner says, they will be "sharing kindness through cookies" Sunday.

  photo  Lakeside Freshman EAST student Elijah Evans-Hughes holds up a banner for his inaugural Sweets on the Streets to be held Sunday across from the Jackson House at the corner of Malvern Avenue and Jefferson Street. - Submitted photo
 
 

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