**Headline: Young Colorado Springs Entrepreneurs, Ages 9 to 11, Launch Food Drive for Families Impacted by Government Shutdown**

**COLORADO SPRINGS, CO** – Three local youths, led by a 10-year-old CEO, took community action into their own hands this past Friday, organizing a food drive to support Colorado Springs families affected by the ongoing government shutdown. The young philanthropists purchased and delivered groceries to help ensure their neighbors had food on the table during a time of uncertainty.

The initiative was spearheaded by Gio Bishop-Falu, the 10-year-old founder and CEO of CEO Squeeze. Motivated by a simple yet profound sense of fairness, Gio felt compelled to act when he learned that some local children might go hungry.

“These other kids don’t get to eat. It makes me want to help them,” Gio said. “Why don’t they get to eat, and we get to eat?”

Recognizing the task was too big to tackle alone, Gio reached out to his friends, 11-year-old Anthony Aliaga and 9-year-old Micaela Aliaga, for help.

“I couldn’t do all this by myself,” Gio explained. “So, I called my friends and said, ‘Hey, you guys want to go to King Soopers?'”

Anthony admitted he was initially puzzled by the request. “When he told me to go grocery shopping, I was confused,” he said. “But then he told me we’re going to help people. I was really excited.”

His sister, Micaela, shared the enthusiasm. “He basically wanted to buy food to fill the pantry, and we said okay!” she recalled. The trio then worked together, carefully considering their purchases. “We discussed what we can buy, if it was a high price or a low price,” Micaela added, showing a practical approach to their mission.

Their efforts earned high praise from community leaders, including Iris Gullatte, Vice President of the Iris and Rodney Gullatte Foundation. She was deeply impressed by the children’s foresight and compassion.

“He’s 10 years old, and he’s already thinking about how to make the world a better place,” Gullatte said of Gio.

The successful food drive serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that determined individuals, no matter their age, can have on their community. As Gullatte noted, the children’s actions carry a lesson for everyone: “There’s always a possibility to help someone somewhere.”