It is a wintry Sunday morning at the soup kitchen and the Global Game Changers are out in full force, all six of them lined up down a long, stretching table with hairnets in place and gloves on their hands. Pia, Little Big Heart, and IQ are handing out bowls, spoons, and crackers, while Global Girl, Acer, and Moxie dip big ladles into steaming pots and pour out dinner for the men, women, and children waiting in line.
“This soup you made smells delicious, Pia,” Moxie says. “When do we get to eat?”
“The soup is not for us,” IQ interrupts. “The line is still growing and we need to make sure everyone gets enough food.”
“But I’m starving,” Moxie says.
“You might think that,” Global Girl adds, “but you’re only hungry. You don’t really understand what it means to be starving, but these people here do, that’s why we are here to help them.”
“You’re right, GG. I’m sorry. Let’s kick it up a notch, gang, and get these people fed!”
They work until the afternoon, when all three of the enormous pots of soup are empty and every person there has finished their second, or even third, helping. No one had been turned away, and everyone who showed up hungry had left with a full belly. When the Global Game Changers walk out of the soup kitchen, they know that their service has really made a difference to those who needed it.
“That was a great service project idea, Pia,” Acer says, as the group makes their way down the sidewalk and into a park.
“Thanks,” she replies. “I’m glad I got to put my cooking Talent and my Basic Needs Heart together to do something special. Any more thoughts on what your Superpower Equation is going to look like?”
“Yeah, Acer,” Little Big Heart says. “It’s your turn to pick what our next service project is going to be.”
“Well,” he says, “after today I think Basic Needs is maybe my Heart too—it felt really good to help all of those people. I’m just still trying to figure out what my Talent is.”
They walk further into the park, the crisp, winter air surrounding them. At the end of the sidewalk, in a parking lot between two empty basketball courts, a disheveled man in torn clothes is picking through a garbage can, his bare feet glowing white on the dark asphalt.
“People forget that food isn’t the only basic need we have,” IQ says, watching as the man pulls out a single, beat-up sneaker and tries to put it on. “Without the proper clothing, especially shoes, it is really difficult for people to have a safe and happy life.”
“Hey,” Moxie says, “maybe Acer can find a way to help homeless people who need shoes!”
“But I don’t know anything about shoes,” Acer says. “It’s not like I can just start making them.”
“Of course not!” Global Girl Says. “You need to think outside the box. What are you good at?”
Acer stops and thinks, still watching the homeless man as he gives up on the trash can and moves off toward the street—feet still bare. “Well, I guess I’m pretty good at video games. But what does that have to do with getting shoes for the homeless?”
“I’m not sure,” Global Girl says, “but between all of us I bet we can think of something that is just perfect!”
They decide to head back to headquarters to brainstorm, all of them ready to help in any way they can to make sure Acer’s Superpower comes out just right. Even Pixel, sensing the group’s seriousness, watches from his dog bed in the corner.
“What about a charity marathon?” Little Big Heart asks, poking his head up from behind his computer screen. “Some people have already been doing it.”
“Doing what exactly?”
“You stream yourself playing a video game all day,” he says, “and the people watching you will donate money along the way to cheer you on. A lot of these marathons have been very successful, and if other gamers can do it, Acer definitely can!”
“And then I can use the money to buy shoes for the homeless?” Acer asks, a wide grin stretching across his face.
“Or give it to a charity that is already doing that. I bet if you looked it up, you can find one. They may even want to sponsor you and help get you what you need to host it.”
“And we can help with everything else,” Moxie says, pulling everyone together for a giant hug. “With all of our Talents combined, we can put on the biggest, most awesome video game marathon anyone’s ever seen!”
“This is great,” Acer says. “Now, to pick the perfect video game!”
Together, the Global Game Changers get to work again, the smell of soup still lingering on their clothes.
