Youngsters in the Forest Hills School District were busy Monday, sorting and counting hundreds of food items they've collected the past few weeks. It's part of their annual food drive to feed the hungry.

"(This is) for people that don't have food," said Cody, a kindergartner at the school. "For people that don't have enough food, they can eat that food."

"For 10 school days there's students that will walk in with, 'here are my two and here are my three cans,'" said teacher Heather Manges. "It's something that it's not easily forgotten and we hope that we teach them kindness and gererosity in the process."

For the past two weeks the kids have brought in canned and boxed goods from home and in return hey received name tags to hang on the wall. Each one is an entry to receive a special prize.

"When you bring the food in, that's when you get the stuffed animals," said Cody.

"While they do have an opportunity to win something, they do learn that giving is more important than receiving," said Manges.

On Monday dozens of little hands started sorting and counting. The children were eager to see how much they were able to collect.

"We're sorting it for the food drive," said Matthew, another kindergartener.

"Unfortunately this year it's not as much as we've had in the past," said Manges. "Economic times being what they are, people in this community have shared what they've been able."

Still, quite a feat for such tiny people with hearts much bigger than their bodies.

"They love this," said Manges. "They feel so important."

The students were able to collect about 970 food items that will be donated to the Food for Families pantry in Johnstown on Tuesday.