HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- As the weather cools down, the need for food and donations to help families increases.
On Friday, a several-week food drive ended with a rewarding payoff for an unlikely group. While they are only pre-schoolers, a group of children are learning a valuable life lesson that will stay with them. For many of them, potty training and shoe tying were top priorities not that long ago. Now, they're on a mission to feed the hungry.
It started as a desire at Norma Gray Early Learning Center to give back to the community. Now, after collecting canned foods, the children are ready to give back.
After a nearly 10-block journey, the children reached their destination -- a few exhausted from all of the excitement. But, for the rest, the excitement was just beginning -- unloading their bounty and turning it over to its new owner.
“They’re as excited as we are,” said Lynn Clagg of the Huntington City Mission.
It's hard to measure how far this trip will go to instilling a giving heart. But, it has been said that actions speak louder than words.
“A lot of little children come in here to eat. You know what they're going to eat? Look at all of the food you brought. Give yourselves a hand,” Clagg said to the children.
“Early childhood is the beginning of their development and if we take the opportunity to help them grow then as adults they'll have an edge on life,” said Carlotta Gee.
For the Huntington City Mission, it's a case of where every little bit helps -- especially as the holiday season and cold weather approaches.
“It's very exciting. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had the enthusiasm they had and it's a perfect time to learn to give and we're so excited to be the recipients?” Clagg said.
“That makes me feel like what we're doing is working. Not just babysitting, but child development and helping them be aware of their emotions,” Gee said.
The Huntington City Mission reports that if you'd like to organize a food drive, now is the time of their greatest need. Feel free to contact them or any of your other local charities to see how you help.