Harford Co. Teen Who Fights For Kids With Food Struggles Named 2024 10 Under 20 Food Hero

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — An eighth grader at Patterson Mill Middle School has been named the 2024 10 Under 20 Food Hero by Hormel.

Natalie Deitz of Abingdon was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a birth defect that made eating painful. The condition had gone undiagnosed until she was three years old, and eventually, was corrected with surgery. She even attended a six-week inpatient feeding clinic. Some of the effects of her diagnosis linger today, which has heightened her sensitivity to children facing their own struggles with food.

“Even though it is for different reasons, I know what it is like to stress over food, and I don't want any of other kid to also stress about food,” said Deitz, 13. “That is why it means a lot to me to help kids with food insecurities.”

Deitz is a member of the all-youth board of advisors of the We Cancerve Movement, Inc., a nationally-recognized, Maryland-based nonprofit known throughout central Maryland for attracting volunteers to their regular “Do Good Drop Ins,” which are assembly line events they organize to fill bags with balanced, single-serving meals kids love to eat and can prepare themselves, especially on weekends. Deitz said helping We Cancerve’s food security efforts is “really important because all kids should not have to worry about where their next meal comes from. I can't imagine how stressful that is and no child should ever stress over food.”

During the last school year, she helped stuff 1,000 supplemental food bags for Harford County Public School children experiencing food insecurity. She also teamed up with a fellow member of We Cancerve to help collect more than 1,600 macaroni and cheese cups for a pasta-themed food giveaway for school children. Last summer, she helped collect snacks for one of the local branches of the Boys and Girls Club and has signed on to help collect snacks again this year.

“I love getting to help all of the kids,” she said. “It has been great being a part of the team.”

Board members play a key role in the leading, planning and executing programs, campaigns and projects that support We Cancerve’s mission. Deitz flexed her leadership skills when she led the nonprofit’s Breakfast Bags Bonanza project this spring by securing a donation of 100 family-size boxes of cereal.

A highlight of her service with We Cancerve has been selecting a favorite recipe, preparing it on film as part of the On The Move with We Cancerve’s children’s television show, then delivering fresh ingredients to area homeless shelters and domestic violence safe houses so families there can make recipes she and her family enjoy.

Hormel Foods has recognized Deitz for her service to others as one of 10 young people from around the nation named a 2024 10 Under 20 Food Hero. Each year, Hormel recognizes young changemakers and innovators for their work fighting food insecurity. As a Hormel honoree, Deitz will receive mentorship opportunities from 10 under 20 alumni and company leaders, and will travel to the food giant’s headquarters in Minnesota later this year. We Cancerve will receive a $2,500 grant in her name.

"Over the past year that Natalie has been on the board of advisors, she has been dedicated to helping kids in our community, especially through our food initiatives. She has taken leadership over the past year to make sure that kids in our community that are struggling are getting the necessities - like food - that they need. Natalie deserved this recognition, and I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the future with We Cancerve and beyond," said Zachary Gwiazda, 16, who chairs the nonprofit’s all-youth board of advisors. He was named a Hormel Rising Star last year.

“I'm really excited about it because it is a big honor and I'm happy We Cancerve can do more projects with the Hormel donation,” Deitz said. “I’m also very excited to get to go to the Hormel Headquarters in August.”

Her advice to other children who want to help address food insecurity: “It doesn't have to be something huge, just start somewhere and do what you can. Sometimes something so small can mean the world to a single person.”