SIDNEY -- Now in its third year, students at Central Elementary School in Sidney have the opportunity to help families in need.

Students have been bringing canned and non-perishable food items to be donated to local food pantries. The project is directed by school counselor Melissa Ross. 

"We start off by learning about World Kindness Day, and some different things the kids can do to be kind. We talk about empathy and understanding how people feel, and then we read our book called 'Maddi's Fridge.' It talks about a little girl, two little girls, who are best friends and the one named Maddi doesn't have any food in their fridge and has asked her friend to keep a secret. And then we kick off World Kindness Day/Week by having the kids bring canned food, non-perishable food to donated to our local food pantries. I show them pictures of the different food pantries that we have and where it will go," Melissa Ross, Central Elementary School Counselor.

She said the program is also an opportunity for students to earn recognition, a pat on the back.

"I think I'm going on my third year of doing it. So we've been able to collect food for various food pantries. We're big on 'brag tags. And so if kids bring in food, they are able to earn a Kindness Kid Brag Tag which is what we call a 'Rare Brag Tag.' It gives them recognition for what they've done," she said.