Needy Lawrence residents will have better-stocked cupboards during the holidays thanks to the efforts of some junior high students.

Seventh-graders at West Junior High School on Wednesday delivered 350 items to the food bank operated by Pelathe Community Resource Center and 350 items to Lawrence Community Drop-In Center, which serves breakfast to homeless and low-income people.

“It’s a good experience,” said seventh-grader Isaac Flynn.

Isaac donated food to the drive and was chosen through a drawing to help deliver items to Pelathe Center. Visiting a food bank for the first time left an impression, he said.

“We take a lot for granted sometimes,” Isaac said.

Students collected food during the past six weeks under a project coordinated by West teachers Michelle Andersen and Sue Lewis.

Caroline Hicks, assistant director of Pelathe Center, said those giving and receiving would benefit from the project.

“These kids get a better understanding of what need really is,” she said. “It helps kids focus on priorities.”

West Junior High School seventh-graders, from left, Kayla Phillips, Katelin Zentz, Megan Bastemeyer and Kelly Morris carry food items for donation to the Pelathe Community Resource Center's food pantry. West seventh-graders collected 700 items for donation and divided the gifts between Pelathe and the Community Drop-In Center. Twelve students picked in a drawing delivered the donations Wednesday.

The number of residents who need help with food always increases this time of year, Hicks said.

“It’s extreme,” she said. “It really is, especially during the holidays.”

Seventh-grader Kayla Phillips said she suspected most students didn’t grasp the day-to-day economic challenges faced by some families in the community. It was a learning experience for her, too.

Kayla brought about a dozen items from home to donate to the drive at West, 2700 Harvard Road.

“I went through the cupboards and said, ‘I’m taking this and this and this,'” she said.

Pelathe Center, 1423 Haskell Ave., opens its food pantry to 150 families each month. Families are limited to one trip to the pantry every three months. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Drop-In Center, 214 W. 10th St., offers breakfast, showers and toiletry supplies to homeless and low-income people. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.