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13-year-old Iowa boy raises more than $12K for food pantry

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

An Iowa teenager has raised more than $12,500 for a local food pantry.

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

RED OAK, Iowa — An Iowa teenager is doing his part to help feed the hungry in his small town.

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Joshua LeRette, 13, has raised $12,583 over the last four years for a food pantry in the southwestern Iowa town of Red Oak, KCCI reported. The teen has collected cash through donations at lemonade stands and bake sales.

"I've seen people pay more than $50 for one of his pies," Joshua's mother,  Dawn LeRette told KCCI.

Joshua began his donation drive when he was a third grader. For his birthday that year, he asked for canned goods instead of presents, the television station reported. In addition, Joshua collected more than 100 cans to donate to the food pantry.

"He thinks if kids are not thinking about being hungry, they will be more focused on school," his mother told KCCI.

Joshua recruits bakers for his sales and will accept donations from everyone.

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

Cox Media Group

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