ALLENVALE, Pa. -- There is a lot to be said for reaping what you sow, particularly when you are sowing a learning experience for young people on the benefits of reaching out to others who are less fortunate. A recent potato harvest at Laurel Vista Farm in Allenvale, Somerset County, marked the second in a two-phase project to provide hundreds of pounds of homegrown potatoes to struggling food pantries in Somerset County.

The Join Hands Day project by the Somerset County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans began in May with the planting of potatoes. Volunteers, including youth from 4-H and numerous church groups, completed the project by picking, bagging and loading potatoes on trucks for eight food pantries in Berlin, Boswell, Casselman Valley, Confluence, Holsopple, Shade-Central City, Somerset and Windber -- 700 to 800 pounds of potatoes per site.

"There are many opportunities for these young people, opportunities like sitting at home, playing games and, of course, volunteering to help others, and it is breathtaking to see how many came out and supported this project," said David Meese, of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Why give up a Saturday to dig in the dirt? "I feel good that I'm helping people," said volunteer Bill Rose, 14.

And believe it or not, the potatoes, as well as 17 cases of additional canned goods, will go out the doors as quickly as they come in, according to Somerset Food Pantry Director Cathy Schmuck. "I don't know if everyone realizes that Somerset County has homeless people, and our numbers are increasing. We are open every week, and we're seeing a large number of people weekly."

At a time when state and federal funding for food pantries is down, Schmuck added it would be impossible to operate the Somerset pantries if not for the community support they have received. "We really need it, and we really appreciate it," she said.

And the young volunteers who turned out for the harvest seem to understand that. When asked if she would have preferred to sleep in or spend the day at the mall, Sara Chrise, 16, said," Not really, because I know this will eventually help someone out, and it's better to help someone else." It would appear that this group of young people reaped more than just potatoes.