The eighth-grader at Saint Joseph's Catholic School in Petersburg recently received the 2025 Humanitarian Award from the Southern Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her commitment to helping others.

Benavidez's journey into community service began when she was in sixth grade. She noticed a line of cars waiting for food and asked her father why they were there. Within days, she was volunteering at the food pantry and hasn't stopped since.

"People, they need help, so I like to help people and I think it's a better experience for me to have, so I can experience at such a young age, cause not many like young people do it, so I'm glad I'm able to do it," Benavidez said.

Rose Keller from the Colonial Heights Food Pantry praised the young volunteer's dedication and reliability.

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