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INUVIK - Students of Sir Alexander Mackenzie School are opening up their cupboards to the people who need it.

Earlier this month, the student leadership club started collecting donations of non-perishable food items that will be given to the food bank.

The Sir Alexander Mackenzie School leadership club started a food drive earlier this month. The group is accepting donations in the foyer of the school for the food bank. From left, top row, Luke Terry, Ethan Allen, Sumayah Shaha, Jacinta Stringer, bottom row, Shannon Baetz, Jennifer White, Annika Krizan, Paisley Van Vliet, Dustin Smith and Sarah Seward. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Principal Janette Vlanich, who heads the group, said the youth were eager to help others in the community.

"It's all about service. I let them come up with a bunch of ideas to help others," said Vlanich.

Vlanich said the students don't need to bring in food to have their name on the tree of green paper hands.

"It's all about doing good deeds for others," she said.

"Maybe some students can't bring in food, so we give other options."

All a student has to do is report their good deed to a teacher in the school.

In the past week, Vlanich said the tree's bounty of food has grown into an impressive pile of goods, waiting for the right family.

In past years at SAM school, Vlanich has invited students to bring in items for the food bank.

"In those past years, we didn't have nearly as much food out there as we do now," she said.

She said the location of the food bank tree in the school is also helping the cause.

"People see it when they first come in the building," she said.

"The students see it and want to be a part of it."

Vlanich said one staff member had to curb the enthusiasm of one pupil who wanted to empty their fridge and donate the food to the bank.

"Everybody is so eager to help," she said.

The goal of helping people in need this season is also sinking in with the younger generations.

"They're excited to help," she said.

Helping the food bank is only one of the club's fundraising efforts.

"They've already talked about helping other groups in town, but we don't know how we're going to do that yet," said Vlanich.

The club started meeting in October and will continue to meet once a week on Wednesday afternoons.

Shannon Baetz, a Grade 5 student who joined the club this year, said the tree is a good idea. She is about to make her first donation to add to the pile of goods.

"It's important to help those people who need food," she said.