Three Somersfield Academy students are on a mission to help the island’s homeless.

Wyatt Woloshyn, James Capodanno and Sebastian Tod decided to put together care packages for people sleeping rough, for a school project.

Sebastian, 14, said: “Although we could have helped out with the beach cleanup and stuff, we feel like homelessness is a less talked about issue in Bermuda.

“I am not sure why that is, but I think it needs be looked at more by everybody.”

James, 14, explained that they chose to help the homeless for their M3 community service project, which consists of three parts. He said: “The most significant one would be the care packages that we are making and distributing to the homeless through the Salvation Army.”

James added that the 20 packages will contain items such as non-perishable food items, water bottles, pillows, blankets, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Sebastian said: “We will be giving it to them in a reusable bag as well. We were going to give out the care packages by hand to everybody, but then we realised the Salvation Army would probably know who really needs it the most. So, we decided to donate it there instead because we know that it will definitely go to a good cause.”

Wyatt, 13, explained that they have also been volunteering at the Eliza DoLittle soup kitchen in Hamilton “as much as possible” to help prepare and serve meals. Sebastian said it was sad to see people struggle, especially those with physical and mental problems.

But he added: “It’s nice that we can help out in our community and that everybody else has the opportunity to help out in the community.”

James said: “We gave a presentation to the Somersfield Academy assembly about the homelessness issue in Bermuda to make the youth of Bermuda aware of this problem and how they can help in their community. There are these great opportunities that we have in Bermuda such as the soup kitchen, donating to the Salvation Army and so on.”

Sebastian said he had been interested in helping the homeless since he was about 7 and accompanied his aunt to volunteer in the soup kitchen while he was home-schooled. He added: “When I came to Somersfield, that kind of stopped because the workload got heavier. But I think that’s where the initiative came from.”

Wyatt added they wanted to highlight a community problem and said: “We narrowed it down to a couple of things. We decided it would be nice to help out the homeless.”

James said: “We are very passionate about helping the less fortunate and giving back to the community.”

The trio said they all found it interesting talking to people who were homeless. Sebastian said: “I really like it a lot. They have so many very cool stories. It’s so wonderful helping them, but I think the best part is actually meeting them.”

The group also thanked drinks giant Bacardi, reinsurance company Tokio Millenium Re and Par-la-Ville Dental for sponsoring the care packages, which they plan to hand over on May 21. They will also showcase their project at the school fair on May 23.