MIFFLINBURG, Pa. — There was no school on the Friday before Christmas, but the Mifflinburg Area Middle School cafeteria was filled with students and other community members. They sorted food and packed boxes for the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club's holiday food distribution.
"Families will drive up, give us their name, and then the wrestlers will load their cars as they get a massive amount of food," Sally Rothermal of the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club said.
The Kiwanis Club has been doing this for more than 30 years. High school students are happy to help.
"It's a special opportunity that comes once a year, and it's special," Don Bowman of the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club said.
This year, they are helping more than 80 families in the Mifflinburg area.
"Put out word to the churches and to the community organizations of what people might need, and this is what you see," Rothermel said.
This year, Mifflinburg Intermediate School donated more than 1,600 items.
"Tuesday is going to be canned fruit. Wednesday might be soups. They paraded down on Wednesday, each student carrying as much as they could carry," Rothermel said.
The students were happy to help sort and pack boxes.
"I just wanted to make a difference in our community, and I thought by providing food and helping to separate it would be a great way," said sophomore Aubrey Fluman.
"Just to help out in the community and make a difference in people's lives during Christmas," said junior Mary Knepp.
"I thought it was a great thing to do, and I really had nothing else to do, and I thought I'd just give back to the community," freshman Landon Moser said.
Later, people drove to the school and picked up their boxes.