Local students took time out of their holiday break to ensure other families have a proper Thanksgiving meal this year.

Members of Wilson Memorial, Fort Defiance and Buffalo Gap high schools met at the Kroger in Waynesboro Tuesday.

They packed nearly 500 crates full of food. Those crates will be delivered to families on Thanksgiving.

Kroger Clerk Frank Roetto helps with the project each year and says he is always impressed with the students who come out to help.

"Thursday morning, they're all energetic and they put their Thanksgiving on hold to help someone else, " says Roetto.

Wilson student Jordan Ambler, who helped deliver food last year, says, "It feels really nice to see their face light up when you give them some food."

The three schools raised more than $12,000 to purchase the food.

Volunteers will meet at Wilson Memorial High School at 7 a.m. Thursday to make deliveries.