Young members of the First Congregational Church learned the importance of helping those in need and the surprisingly high expense of food this past weekend during a food collection drive for Damien's Place, a pantry in East Wareham.

"At the end, we looked over their choices and they noticed that $40 does not go that far as they thought," said Pamela Miller, the Christ education chairman at the church.

The 6th through 10th graders saved $175 worth of spare change during Lent this past March and April which they used on Sunday, May 6 to purchase food from Shaw's on Marion Road in Wareham.

Miller prepared the youth for the shopping spree by giving them $40 each after talking to them about the importance of choosing nonperishable items that last as well as healthy food, she said.

Youth Group participants then looked for protein rich foods such as tuna, peanut butter, stews, and canned fruits as well as foods that they like to eat and a sweet for dessert, Miller said. They also kept on the look-out for any deals or sales.

The Youth Group filled a store carriage to its brim, Miller said, which they then left in a location at Shaw's that remains reserved for Damien’s Place throughout the year, Miller said.

"Other shoppers at Shaw's were so impressed seeing these teens in action that some of them donated money on the spot for this cause – community teamwork at its best," Miller said.