MARYSVILLE — The third-grade students of the Marysville Co-op Program have been busy this holiday season.

On Dec. 9, the 24 students of Shawn Jenkins’ class delivered 1,807 pounds of food items to the Marysville Community Food Bank.

In less than two weeks, the students had collected that much food from their parents’ pantries and workplaces, as well as generous local businesses such as WinCo Foods and the Grocery Outlet.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years, at least,” Jenkins said. “WinCo’s donations helped us beat all our previous years, though. It’s cool to watch the kids working together and becoming part of the community.”

The students expressed pride in their achievement and belief in the importance of the food bank’s efforts.

“By helping these people, we’re really filling a need,” said third-grader Elisabeth Barnes. “We’re like little Santa’s helpers.”

“Not everybody has money, but everybody has to get food,” said classmate Leia Abiador.

“We’ve been so impressed with their big hearts,” said Karla Willard, one of the parents of the Marysville Co-op Program class. “They’re going to make a lot of people happy this Christmas.”

Marysville Community Food Bank Director Joyce Ziegen praised the students for being “hard workers and good listeners, who are anxious to help others.”