Sewing machine question: the piece that holds the spool of thread on top is missing. What can I use?

I’m just learning how to sew and I inherited a sewing machine from a friend. The piece of plastic that sticks up from the top of the machine (spool pin?) is missing and I tried to stick a paint brush in there but it’s not moving when I try to wind the bobbin.

What can I use? I know my friend had it working with something like a chopstick but it isn’t grabbing. Help!