this week for food donations to needy families.

Wendell Smith, principal at Paget Primary, said: "What we are doing is asking children to contribute canned and paper goods for needy families.

"We want to teach them to give something back to the community.

"Too often, during this time of year children are on the receiving end.

"We want them to know the joy of giving, to be able to be on the giving end.

We will be presenting our goods to the Physical Abuse Centre and another charity attached to the Lioness Club.'' Paget Primary, Clearwater Middle School, and BGA wholesalers acted after reading that the Lioness' Club were having problems filling their hampers in the Share The Christmas Spirit Programme.

The teachers at Paget Primary helped to pack the hampers. They were presented at a special assembly on Friday.

"We also presented awards for perfect attendance and honour roll,'' Mr. Smith said. "We want this to be part of their education, not just academic, but values and social responsibility.'' Rebecca Bart, marketing manager at BGA, said: "We read the story in Wednesday paper. Then we called Cynthia Bell. We are contributing the following food items: 200 cans of Ovaltine; 200 cans of tuna; 200 bottles of Mega Malt; 200 cans Heinz Baked Beans; 200 cans Grace Vienna Sausages; 200 cans Grace Corned Beef; and 200 boxes Kelloggs Rice Crispies.

"The total number of cases of food is 70 cases, and the cost to us for the food is over $1,300,'' she said. "It all will be going to the Eastern Lioness' Club.'' Principal at Clearwater Middle School, Charlotte Ming said: "$270 will be donated to the Hands of Love Ministry from Clearwater Middle School. The children raised this money through a gift wrapping fund drive outside the Annex to raise funds for the Hands of Love Ministry.'' The students also brought dry and canned goods for the Physical Abuse Centre and made a presentation during the Senior Citizens Tea which was held in the school's assembly hall last week.

Christmas chow: Pictured, from left, are Randy Wilkinson, Lovette Burgess, Joeann Bean from BGA's Warehouse division which donated $2,000 worth of food products to the Eastern Lioness to fill 200 hampers for needy families.

Pictured receiving the items is Cynthia Bean, at far right.