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Jennifer Garner’s Childhood Experiences Fuel Her Random Acts of Kindness | “There Was No Money for Anything Fancy”
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Jennifer Garner’s Childhood Experiences Fuel Her Random Acts of Kindness | “There Was No Money for Anything Fancy”

Garner was raised in Charleston, West Virginia, by parents Patricia and William, who had both experienced poverty.

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Frederick M. Brown

As a prominent actress, Jennifer Garner has earned her position. The talented Miracles From Heaven actor is also outspoken about sociopolitical injustice and exemplifies kindness by sharing her fortune not only with her loved ones but with many others who are in need. She is known for performing random acts of kindness from organizing food drives to fulfilling teachers' wishlists.

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Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Charley Gallay
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Charley Gallay

 

The actress recently decided against holding a party for herself on her 50th birthday and instead chose to organize a food drive at her home. Garner invited other celebs over and used her home as a food delivery service. The movie diva showed her heart of gold in one of the stories by leaving flowers on windshields and coffee for random people, according to an Instagram highlight titled "50 before 50." She also described her version of handouts for the needy in another story, including necessities like thick socks, tissue, hand wipes, chopsticks, granola bars, and even feminine hygiene items. She advised, "Gather these essentials in a quart-sized Ziploc bag and keep them in your car to give away when you see someone in need." 



 

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The actress is the way she is owing to the upbringing she received. Garner was raised in Charleston, West Virginia, by parents Patricia and William, who had both experienced poverty. Although it was difficult for her to acquire any luxuries as a child, these experiences managed to implant some ideals in her. Garner told Kerry Washington about her early years in a YouTube series, per WBOY, saying "There was no money for anything fancy, so mom made everything. She made everything that we ate. She made everything we wore. God bless that woman! She made everything. We did not have potato chips unless she was there frying them."

Her working instincts were also cultivated by her upbringing in a low-income household. The Elektra star looked for any means to make money as a teenager. "I was always creating jobs for myself. I was always babysitting a ton and shoveling walks, anything; I was always finding a way–I liked to have a little change in my pocket. [My cousin] would take me out on the tractor and let me drive the tractor…in my mind, it really stands out."

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Image Source: Getty Images | Emma McIntyre
Image Source: Getty Images | Emma McIntyre

 

The actress still considers how she might give back to the community and the mother who raised her. She purchased her grandparents' former property which was very dear to her and her mom and is now investing heavily in turning it into a thriving community. The century-old farm that Jennifer Garner owns has emerged as the ideal location for farming the primary ingredients for her business, Once Upon a Farm. The farm has teamed up with Save the Children and made a commitment to provide wholesome food to 1 million kids in rural America by 2024. “It’s the very farm that my mom grew up on that inspired my work with Save the Children, that inspired me wanting to join a company that would help kids like the kids that Save serves,” she said.

Image Source: Getty Images | Leigh Vogel
Image Source: Getty Images | Leigh Vogel

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References:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17903593556416659/

https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/jennifer-garner-talks-about-growing-up-in-west-virginia-during-youtube-interview/

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Frederick M. Brown