Two 10-year-olds hosting their 3rd annual 'Fill-Up a Trailer for Ram' event to help families in need

BUCHANAN, Mich. -- A year ago, we shined a spotlight on two 10-year-olds Kate Holloway and Eloise Herrick who help raise money and collect goods for a Buchanan food pantry.

We followed up this year with the girls to share their excitement in hosting their 3rd annual ‘Fill-Up a Trailer for RAM’ event.

But, before we share the details of the event, meet the girls making it all happen.

Kate and Eloise have been stocking the shelves since they were 7-years-old and are the youngest volunteers at the RAM family ready to beat a new goal this year.

At such a young age, they are both making it their mission to serve families in need at the food pantry.

They were introduced to the pantry three years ago by a volunteer experience with Girl Scouts and stuck around after the involvement as they felt the need to help any way they could.

And, a guest we spoke to says the organization goes above and beyond with their humanitarian efforts.

They supported him with material goods, unexpected financial support, and welcomed him into the ram family.

Will Johnson is just one out of the 8,500 people that RAM, Eloise, and Kate are helping with their weekly routine.

“I came to RAM about two months ago when I lost my father. I came here in help for food and I came in and they was open arms...I came in with a bill with a couple hundred bucks and they paid the whole entire bill. I wasn't expecting that,” Johnson said.

The director of the pantry Jan Nowak-Walters says you have 30 minutes out of someone's 24 hours of their day to make a difference.

She says it’s not just a pantry where you come in and out, they are helping in any way they can.

The pantry has grown to be what it is today with shelves filled with food and it’s all thanks to the community support and the volunteers.

Ram serves the Buchanan and the Galien school district areas.

In 2020, RAM distributed over 38,000 lbs. of food to families in need, serving about 8,500 people with various needs.

The young girls are hosting this year’s event this Sunday on July 11th outside the Buchanan Police Department on Front Street from 5 -9 p.m. in Michigan.

Their goal for this year is to collect 1,400 items and raise $1,000 dollars.

You can help reach their 2021 goal by dropping off non-perishable foods, paper products, hygiene items and baby goods.

And, if you can’t attend the drop-off and would like to donate, they have created a GoFundMe for online donations too.

“So, it’s really cool for how much it’s changed after 3 years… and yeah because like the first year when the stock from the shelves were so bare and we got all that food, and they stocked the shelves it looks so different because in that way we knew we like helped in a way to make those shelves have more food,” Kate and Eloise said.

For more information about RAM, you can click here to be directed to their website.