BRUNSWICK — “It was a very, very visible display of what we do as a school community,” said eighth-grader Thomas Madigan. “Giving back to the community.”

St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick takes pride in being known as a “community of service” with a spirit of joyful togetherness. On Thursday morning, May 15, students literally worked hand in hand to help many in need.

The entire student body headed outside and formed a human “food chain” from the school, located on 37 Pleasant St., to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) facility on 84 Union St. Students passed pasta, baked beans, toothpaste, and additional food and personal care items to each other, culminating in delivery to MCHPP.

“The first-graders have been collecting non-perishable items for the MCHPP all year, and the student council has been holding a similar collection for over a week,” said Patricia Berthiaume, principal of St. John’s Catholic School. “Today’s chain is truly a reflection of the students’ collective enthusiasm to give back to the community that has given them so much. That is a great lesson for all of our students.” “Today was a great school effort,” said Josh Robles, the student council treasurer. “It was a great team-building event.”

“My favorite part? My favorite part was everything!

It was fun passing the food,” said kindergartener James Salko.

Thanks to the efforts of the St. John’s community, more than 250 pounds of goods were donated this morning. First-graders at the school have helped in donating close to 800 pounds to the MCHPP since the academic year began. The Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program provides food for more than 1,200 local families through a food bank, food pantry and soup kitchen.