Their faces gleaned with a sense of pride upon the realization their volunteerism will help make a difference.

With that very thought in mind, a group of Northern Lehigh Middle School students recently helped the Northern Lehigh Food Bank get ready to distribute food for the holiday.Steve Hluschak, seventh grade Math instructor, said 25 students participated in the activity in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday."It's important to have them participate in some kind of community service project, and this went along with our team theme, which is 'Heroes'," Hluschak said. "These people here [volunteers at the NLFB] are the heroes in our community."Hluschak said students will also assist the NLFB near Christmas and Easter time.Seventh graders Tiffany Yesik and Karlyna Kemery said they enjoyed their experience at the Washington Township-based food bank.Tiffany said she was glad to help "so the homeless people will get their food and they will be thankful for it."Karlyna said of the gesture, "it makes me feel really proud that I can help people."Dale Breyfogle, food bank director, said that the students help was "awesome, what a relief.""It's just wonderful how this community comes together to make sure people have food during the holiday season," Breyfogle said. "We have good people that come here; for the most part, they only come when they need it."The churches, along with the products they donated, were as follows: Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Slatington, fruit; St. John's Lutheran, Slatington, stuffing; Friedens UCC, Friedens, gravy; Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, yams; United Presbyterian Church, Slatington, cranberry sauce; Good Shepherd UCC, Slatington, corn; St. John's UCC, Slatington, carrots; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Slatedale, peas; Slatington Baptist Church, Slatington, green beans; Union UCC, Neffs, potatoes; and Christ UCC, Walnutport, desserts. In addition, Breyfogle said local businesses and people, as well as several markets, donated the turkeys, chickens and hams.On average, she said the NLFB serves about 300 families, or between 800-900 persons, per month.Breyfogle noted the Christmas handout will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10. She said the food bank will be closed on Thanksgiving, as well as from Dec. 21 through Jan. 2.Anyone with questions may contact the food bank at (610) 767-9525.