OKEECHOBEE — A local teen with a heart for children in need, is working on a project to provide Easter baskets for kids who normally might not get one.

Juan Torres, 13, said he came up with a plan to earn money to purchase things for the Easter baskets.

“I have a passion for cooking. I watch my mom make meals every day after she comes home from work. I love a great steak, so I asked my mom to buy me a steak, and that was one of the first things I learned to cook.” Juan wondered if it would be possible to make steaks and sell them to other people.

He could then use that money to purchase more steaks and sell those. “My mom started photographing my steak and eggs to sell on social media, and I was able to make some money. After that, I could buy the steaks myself.”

Juan’s mom told him she would match whatever he saved for the baskets and several friends who heard about his project began donating items as well.

“I just had it in my heart to use my money from my steak and egg sales for this cause, because I’m blessed to have a hard-working and supportive mother, and some kids don’t have that.”

Juan’s mom reached out to Healthy Start and some other organizations to let them know about the project. “I used to be one of those moms trying to provide everything by myself,” said Lorena Torres. She said she tries to teach her children to be responsible and to help others in need.

If anyone would like to help Juan with his project, he has a cash app for this purpose. $linolorena83. The cover is Juan Rivera Torres with an orange “J”.

They can also be reached by phone at 863-801-6894 or on Facebook through Lorena Torres.

So far, they have enough to make 45 baskets, but they plan to make as many as they possibly can. 

Juan and his mom plan to pass the baskets out at the Kiwanis playground by Los Cocos on  April 13 at noon. If you would like your child to receive a basket, you can contact Lorena or Juan.