"With 30 percent of the children living in the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina's 34-county service area living at risk of hunger, it is poignant when their peers join the fight to alleviate their plight," says a spokesman for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Sandhills is located at 195 Sandy Avenue in Southern Pines and serves Lee, Moore, Richmond and Scotland Counties.

One hundred and thirteen schools participated in the holiday "Students Against Hunger" food drive that runs in conjunction with the overall Heart of Carolina Food Drive held from mid-November through early December.

Sandhills Classical Christian School in Southern Pines won the top honor in the Multi-Grades category, bringing in 2,289 pounds of food.

"Students Against Hunger" is an annual event that gives elementary, middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in the Heart of Carolina Food Drive, a regional food drive that benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Donations collected during this campaign help provide food to families at risk of hunger during the holiday season and the first weeks of winter.

The overall "2007 Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger" award goes to Sanderson High School in Raleigh for collecting over 7,959 pounds of food and more than $33,000.

While encouraging students to bring in non-perishable goods, such as canned meats and vegetables, the schools also center activities on hunger and poverty, such as inviting speakers to their schools or taking tours of the Food Bank. Some schools have even incorporated the annual food drive into their core education curriculum.

Sandhills Classical Christian School contributed to the 138,095 pounds of food and $48,600 collected during the campaign. When combined, the food and funds are equivalent to 322,960 meals.

Visit www.foodbankcenc.org for information, or call the local branch at (910) 692-5959.