Eight students from Pinon Hills Elementary School visited the Carson Valley Community Food Closet on Dec. 4 to hand a $1,000 check to food closet director Eileen Boettiger.
For their annual community service project, Pinon Hills Elementary students spent four days collecting change to be converted into food for the less fortunate.
"Wow, you guys did great," Boettiger told the students. "I can't believe it. You guys did awesome."
Boettiger said that the food closet handed out 384 meals for Thanksgiving. As of Dec. 4, she said 462 meals had been arranged for Christmas, but she expected that number to grow.
Fifth-grader Britney Santi said raising the money was "kind of hard."
"I'm excited we get to use it to make other people's Christmas good," Britney said.
Classmate Kayleigh Carlson said during the holidays, some people just need a gift.
"Christmas is about both giving and receiving," she said, "but you're a lot happier giving."
Pinon Hills Parent Teacher Organization President Ron Santi said it's important for younger students to participate in community service projects and learn the value of helping others.
"This is our way to get our kids involved in the community," he said.
Make donations to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet at 1255 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville. Business hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday. Call 782-3711 for more information.
