Seventy-seven middle-school students spent two hours picking corn for the poor at Chandler Farms in Montross and Parker Farms in Colonial Beach. The students, from Boot Camp for Aspiring Saints, a faith formation program at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, collected more than 10,000 pounds of corn.

The students were transported by bus July 20 to the farms. After the corn was collected, it was transported to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington St. Lucy Food Project, a food warehouse in Manassas serving the underprivileged in Northern Virginia.

From there, the corn will be distributed to partner pantries in the following counties and cities: Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Winchester City, Warren County (CCDA Loaves & Fishes Pantry), Madison County, Orange County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria City (CCDA Christ House Pantry), and Loudoun County (CCDA Leesburg Pantry). In addition, Healthy Harvest Foodbank is distributing some of the corn to the Northern Neck.

“This is our first year to increase fresh, healthy food to the poor as a result of having our new refrigeration. Our donors made this possible,” said Vincent Cannava, program director and food source developer for the St. Lucy Project.

“Today also fulfilled an opportunity for ‘aspiring saints’ to put their faith into action,” he said.