KENNEBUNK — There have always been people in need. But the want of others is perhaps felt more acutely around the holidays, when those less fortunate must rely on food pantries and shelters to see them through.

The food at those shelters comes from donations, and every November for the past ten years, Amy Roy has been a driving force in securing them. An English teacher at Kennebunk High School, Roy calls on her students to give what they can, whether it be food items or cash, and hopes that the benefit is twofold: Shelters acquire edibles or the means to purchase them and the students learn the importance of giving.

For her work, she’s been named the recipient of the 2014 York County Spirit of Service Award.

“I was shocked,” said Roy.

Administered through the United Way of York County, the award comes with a bonus. In addition to the honor, Kennebunk Savings Bank is donating $500 to a charity of Roy’s choice. In mulling her options, Roy decided it would be appropriate to direct the money to Mason’s Mission, a charity established by a former student of hers, which is raising funds to pay for needed medical equipment for the alum’s disabled 3-year-old son.

Not content to leave it at that, Roy has been in talks with various advisory committees at KHS to match, or exceed, the $500 donation.

“We have two boys,” said Roy, “and we’re big on teaching them that you have to give back to the community.”

The other half of “we” is husband Dan Roy, who works at one of the Maine branches of Sedexo, a national outfit dedicated to improving communities’ quality of life. It’s through Sedexo that Roy and her students are able to deliver the food and money to local shelters, and after a decade, the process has evolved into a well-oiled machine. This year alone, food banks in Kennebunk, Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach will each receive 500 pounds of food, and $800 in monetary donations due to the Roys’ work.

Each year, Roy makes her case to the students ”“ and after Halloween, during the first full week of November, the donations come pouring in.

“It’s one thing I feel really good about: Everybody drops the school drama,” said Roy. “Everybody feels really good that week … the one thing that I’ve found at this school (is) they’re all so positive, all so encouraging to bring more and more and more.”

At first, there were incentives for whoever could bring in the most money or goods. But a few years ago, Roy decided it was better to stress the importance of giving for its own sake; her students have responded, and Roy said she’s proud of helping to shape their spirit of generosity.

“It’s the one thing that has nothing to do with academia ”“ it’s their character,” said Roy. “I’m really proud of their character.”

It takes a lot of energy to muster the effort each year, but Roy sees it as an essential part of what she does.

“When you give out positive energy, you get it back,” she said. “Bad things can happen to anyone. You never know when something’s going to knock you down. It’s nice to know there’s a community there to back you up.”

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.