ARDMORE , OKLA --Several schools in Carter County teamed up with the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank back in October in a Students Against Hunger Food Drive. This week those students found out just how much a difference their donations have made.

When Counselor Keri Lowe decided to have Charles Evans Elementary participate in a food drive, she had no idea how big the response would be.

"We had a huge food drive. We did it for one full week, and the kids brought over 1,000 pounds of food," Lowe said.

Lowe asked some of her students to get involved in planning the big drive and to come up with incentives to help encourage the students to bring in donations.

"We told a class or Ms. Lowe that we could bring 50 or more cans. We got an extra recess and a snack for that," Noelia Rodriguez explained.

Lowe says she stored all of the food in her office until it was later taken to the House of Prayer, where it would be given out to families in need.

"We give away about eight to ten thousand pounds of food a week, which is a lot of food," Brenda Murray from the House of Prayer said.

Lowe says she has seen a great need for food donations in the community, and feels the food drive taught the students an important life lesson.

"I think one of the best things you can teach children is to give and to be giving and be generous. I also think its really important for kids to do for others and learn community service," Lowe said.

While giving is on most people's minds around the holidays, Murray says hunger is a on going battle.

"It's just an on going thing and we need to have that compassion and love year round," Murray said.

The House of Prayer serves over 300 families, and the donations made by the Charles Evans students will provide over 750 meals.