STEUBENVILLE — Students in the Wells Community Kids program at Wells Academy donated food and toys to charitable causes just in time for Thanksgiving.

Fouth-grade teacher Sara Carrocci stated, “This month, fourth-graders did food bags filled with the basic Thanksgiving foods for the Urban Mission and third-graders prepared bags with chili and turkey casserole recipes.”

Items were donated to the organization last year; however, due to the recent government shutdown, the program collected more because people lost their SNAP benefits, Carrocci said.

Wells students are preparing to brighten the holidays for children overseas through the Operation Christmas Child program.

Boxes will be filled with small toys and items, then delivered to a local church that will ship them.

“We have 25 kids participating in Operation Christmas Child and will have boxes with toys, notepads, barrettes, bows and little games,” Carrocci noted, adding she saw the need on Facebook and reached out.

The 60-member student organization will forward the boxes to the Sacred Heart Center of Hope on Slack Street.

The Wells Community Kids meets once a month after school and learn the importance of community service.

Students have benefitted other charitable groups in the past, including the Friendship Room.

“They learn about volunteering their time,” Carrocci concluded. “As they get older and take part in organizations, they gain service hours. This lets them know that it’s OK to need help.”