When members of Wareham High School’s Key Club launched a food drive earlier this month, they didn’t know the school would rally together, collecting nearly 400 items for Haitians.

“This was truly a group effort,” said Key Club President Ruth Gonzalez, a junior. “The whole school contributed.”

On Friday, the 390 nonperishable items students collected were displayed in a classroom, awaiting transport to Haiti where they will be stocked at a new hospital built by the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. That group is working to provide relief to Haitians still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. The storm struck the Caribbean in early fall.

While the Key Club holds drives throughout the year for various organizations, this was the first time they collected for St. Boniface.

Key Club advisors Jo Anne Salamone and Matthew Stanton said the organization came to the club’s attention via Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andrea Schwamb.

“The students turned out in a big way as they usually do,” said Stanton, before turning to club members. “You guys are awesome.”

Principal Scott Palladino, who stopped by to congratulate the students on Friday, agreed.

“I’m always impressed by the generosity of our students, especially at this time of year when there are three or four charity drives going on,” said Palladino. “Seeing the students come together for these projects shows how involved they are in their community.