Project Celebrate Downriver

🏢🐟🍞This morning, I had the opportunity to visit and tour the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry & Food Distribution Center.

I had a great conversation with the CEO about Project Celebrate Downriver, ways I can better serve local families, and partnership opportunities. She shared valuable advice, explained the history of Fish & Loaves, how the organization was founded, how they serve local families, and gave me an inside look at how their incredible operation is run. It was especially inspiring to learn how Fish & Loaves started as a small operation like mine, and grew into the incredible organization it is today.

During my visit, I was also given a tour of the facility. I learned how food is received, sorted, stocked on the shelves, and prepared for distribution, as well as how the pantry operates for the families who come in to shop. It was inspiring to see firsthand the amount of work, organization, and dedication that goes into serving hundreds of families each week.

I’m also excited to share that beginning in July, Project Celebrate Downriver plans to partner with Fish & Loaves by donating birthday boxes twice per month. Fish & Loaves will then distribute the boxes to families with children who have upcoming birthdays when they visit the food pantry. This partnership will help ensure even more children have the opportunity to feel celebrated on their special day. 🎂🎉

Thank you to Stephanie and everyone at Fish & Loaves for taking the time to meet with me, answer my questions, and share your knowledge and experience. I left with new ideas, valuable insight, and excitement about future opportunities to better serve local families.

Big things are coming. 🎉📦

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver
Spreading Joy. Creating Memories. 🎉📦

🎉 More Amazing Donations for Project Celebrate Downriver! 🎉

A special thank you to Michelle Sarkody from my church for donating the incredible assortment of party supplies and especially these amazing toys and gifts pictured in the first image. As soon as she heard about the project, she was eager to help, and I am so grateful for her kindness and generosity. These items are going to make many birthday boxes even more special for local children. 🎂🎁

I’d also like to thank the Patti-Ann Audia who donated cake mix, frosting, Coke, games, and tote bags from my Amazon Wishlist, shown in the second photo. These supplies will help me assemble even more birthday boxes for local families.

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver
Spreading Joy. Creating Memories. 🎉📦

💌 Thank You, IN Stampers! 💌

A huge thank you to the IN Stampers for choosing Project Celebrate Downriver as this year’s service project!

Special thanks to Debbie Ludwig Stafford, Margaret Wickert, Kathy Friedlander, Jean McFarren, and everyone else who donated their time and creativity to make these amazing birthday cards.

And an extra special thank you to Cheryl Hillen Piotrowski, my mom’s cousin, for coordinating this entire project through Hand Stamped by Cheryl. It’s incredible to see support coming all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana to help children celebrate their birthdays here in Downriver, Michigan.

A total of 92 handmade birthday cards were donated! Just look at all the unique designs below. I can’t wait to start including these in birthday boxes and helping make many birthdays even more special. 🎉💌🎂

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver
Spreading Joy. Creating Memories. 🎉📦

🎉 June Birthday Box Pickup Day Recap 🎉

Yesterday, I distributed 4️⃣ birthday boxes to families in our community. That’s 4 birthdays that will be a little more special because of your generosity.

While turnout was lower than expected, it was still great to connect with families and get birthday boxes into the hands of those who need them.

I’m currently brainstorming ways to improve these pickup events and ensure I get the turnout I expect. If anyone has experience hosting community events like this and has suggestions or advice, please feel free to comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I’m also planning to host these pickup events more frequently throughout the summer to make birthday boxes even more accessible to families across our community and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Project Celebrate Downriver through donations, shares, and encouragement. These birthday celebrations wouldn’t be possible without you. (Thank you posts are on their way)

Big things are coming. 💜🐞

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver
Spreading Joy. Creating Memories 🎂📦

As of June 6, 2026 🎂🎉

A huge thank you to Jennifer Wilkins for donating all of these amazing party decorations to Project Celebrate Downriver! 🎉📦

These extra decorations and party items are going to make the birthday boxes even more special for the families receiving them. Donations like this truly help turn these boxes into full birthday celebrations and bring even more joy to children on their special day.

Thank you again for your generosity and support of this project!

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver - Spending Joy. Creating Memories. 🎊

Tonight I was able to distribute 7 more birthday boxes to families in the community at Lincoln Park High School! 🎉📦

This is already my second time in less than a week meeting families here for birthday box pickups, and I’m grateful to continue reaching families not only throughout Downriver, but also across the Metro Detroit area.

Every birthday box distributed is another child who gets to feel celebrated on their special day.

I’ll also be back here again on Saturday for another birthday box pickup!

Evan Eaton | Project Celebrate Downriver - Spreading Joy. Creating Memories. 🎂