A birthday party is turned into a fundraising event.

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When friends and family of Shaina Katz received an invitation to her Sweet 16 Birthday Party, it was obvious that her party would not be like a typical episode of “My Super Sweet 16.”

The invitation stated, “No gift required…However this rockin’ party is a FUNdraiser to benefit the SCV Food Pantry .  Your “admission ticket” to this Sock Hop is a grocery store gift card (any amount).”

Set as a 1950’s Sock Hop complete with poodle skirts, leather jackets and bouffant hair, Shaina requested her guests to not shower her with gifts, but instead buy grocery cards for needy families in the Santa Clarita Valley.

According to Shaina’s mom Thresa, she had wanted to collect grocery cards for the SCV food pantry since she was nine years old, and her Sweet 16 birthday party provided the perfect opportunity to do so.

As a result of asking for grocery cards rather than gifts, Shaina raised $581 at her party for the food pantry.

Belinda Crawford, executive director of the food pantry was moved when she heard the news.

 “It brought me to tears,” she said. “This little girl had such a big heart to help others.”

According to Crawford, this amount of money will have a big impact on local families in need.

 “I can buy 2,000 boxes of macaroni and cheese with that,” Crawford said. “With $500 dollars, we can provide milk to ten children for a year.”

If you would like to help stock up the SCV Food Pantry’s supply, and provide a meal for needy families, visit http://www.scvfoodpantry.org/