**Young Entrepreneurs in Colorado Springs Rally to Feed Families During Government Shutdown**

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A group of enterprising local children turned compassion into action on Friday by organizing a food drive aimed at supporting families impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

Leading the initiative was 10-year-old Gio Bishop-Falu, the founder of CEO Squeeze, a youth-led business venture. Determined to make a difference, Bishop-Falu rallied fellow young entrepreneurs to collect and distribute food to those struggling to put meals on the table.

“I just want to help kids who don’t have enough food,” said Bishop-Falu, whose motivation sparked a wave of support from peers and adults alike.

Among those who joined the effort were siblings Anthony and Micaela Aliaga, ages 11 and 9, respectively. Anthony admitted he was initially unsure about how the food drive would work but quickly grew excited to lend a hand. Micaela, meanwhile, took a hands-on role in the shopping process, thoughtfully comparing prices to maximize the impact of their donations.

The drive received enthusiastic backing from the Iris and Rodney Gullatte Foundation. Vice President Iris Gullatte expressed admiration for the young organizers, describing Bishop-Falu’s initiative as “inspiring” and a testament to the power of youth-driven community service.

Donations were dropped off throughout the day, with community members contributing nonperishable items to support local families facing financial hardship due to the federal shutdown.

As the shutdown continues to affect households across the region, these young leaders have shown that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference. Their efforts not only provided much-needed aid but also demonstrated the strength of community spirit in Colorado Springs.