13-year-old Iowan raises more than $12,000 for local food pantry - KCCI Des Moines

60’S ARE ON THE WAY AGAIN. MAX: A REALLY COOL STORY HERE. A RED OAK BOY IS MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HIS COMMUNITY. LAURA: HE STARTED BASING MONEY FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE FOUND OUT HIS CLASSMATES DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD FOR THANKSGIVING. HE STARTED A FOOD DRIVE AND NOW

13-year-old Iowan raises more than $12,000 for local food pantry

Joshua LeRette was in the third grade when he heard his classmate didn't have food for Thanksgiving. A few weeks later was Joshua's birthday, where he asked for canned goods instead of presents. He collected 100 cans to donate to the local food pantry in Red Oak. "He thinks if kids are not thinking about being hungry, they will be more focused on school," said Dawn LeRette, Joshua's mom. Now, four years later, Joshua has raised a total of $12,583 through donations at lemonade stands and bake sales, and by auctioning off his blue ribbon pies. "I've seen people pay more than $50 for one of his pies," Dawn LeRette said. Community members have poured in to support Joshua's cause. He recruits bakers for the bake sale and receives donations from anyone willing to give. "A woman walked up with only a dollar and asked what she could get for $1. Joshua said, 'Anything you want,'" Dawn LeRette said. "Those are the people we do this for."

RED OAK, Iowa —

Joshua LeRette was in the third grade when he heard his classmate didn't have food for Thanksgiving.

A few weeks later was Joshua's birthday, where he asked for canned goods instead of presents. He collected 100 cans to donate to the local food pantry in Red Oak.

"He thinks if kids are not thinking about being hungry, they will be more focused on school," said Dawn LeRette, Joshua's mom.

Now, four years later, Joshua has raised a total of $12,583 through donations at lemonade stands and bake sales, and by auctioning off his blue ribbon pies.

"I've seen people pay more than $50 for one of his pies," Dawn LeRette said.

Community members have poured in to support Joshua's cause. He recruits bakers for the bake sale and receives donations from anyone willing to give.

"A woman walked up with only a dollar and asked what she could get for $1. Joshua said, 'Anything you want,'" Dawn LeRette said. "Those are the people we do this for."