MARYSVILLE — While many of their peers are out basking in the summer sun, Marysville teenagers Dillon Ahora and brothers Forrest and Alex Brown are hard at work on behalf of Marysville’s hungry, and JoAnn Sewell, volunteer coordinator for the Marysville Community Food Bank, wants to see these young people get credit for it.

“They’re spending their summer vacation volunteering at the Food Bank, which is very unusual,” Sewell said. “They spend 16-18 hours a week here doing anything and everything we ask.”

Dillon started volunteering at the Food Bank in June, and by August, Forrest had joined him. Alex, 17 followed in the footsteps of the two 15-year-olds shortly afterward.

“I needed to do community service for college, but I didn’t really have anyone to talk to here, since they were all older people,” Dillon said.

“We’re both class officers, so I trusted his opinion when he said it was really fun,” Forrest said.

“All three of us are in the Navy JROTC program,” Alex said. “Working here is great for your resumes, and it really is fun.”

Some of the boys’ tasks have not been as much fun, as all three grimaced when they recalled scrubbing the Food Bank’s floors and sorting through potatoes to ensure than none of them were rotten. Dillon has nonetheless enjoyed working with his fellow Food Bank volunteers, whom he credits with creating a friendly atmosphere, while Forrest enjoys being able to give back to the community.

“If you approach it with the right attitude, you can really help people,” Dillon said.

“If you’re not outgoing, it can make you more outgoing,” Forrest said.

All three boys hope to continue volunteering for the Food Bank once the school year starts, although they expect it might limit their hours.

Although he’s unavailable for interviews, the Food Bank also wished to acknowledge 16-year-old C.J. Balke for volunteering a total of 250 hours.