ROME--First- and second-graders at St. Mary's School collected over 100 pounds of food during a Hunger Walk organized and planned by the youngsters with the assistance of their teachers.

The Hunger Walk was held Monday, Oct. 16 on the school campus. That morning the students turned in the collected canned foods they had received from donors in return for their commitment to walk 30 minutes.

Teachers Jackie Scott and Mary Ortwein designed a walking course in the school parking lot which each student completed 15 to 26 times during the allotted time period. Each time a student finished a lap, teacher aides and parent volunteers marked off their score sheet. Melanie Yacobucci, a parent who helped with the Hunger Walk, set up a water cooler in the back of her van so students could refresh themselves as they finished their laps.

The Hunger Walk was the practical result of a presentation given by Sheila Bissonnette, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Particular Council. During SVDP Week, which was held throughout the Catholic schools in the archdiocese Sept. 5-8, Ms. Bissonnette told the students that people of any age or ability have the power to reach out and do something. Ms. Bissonnette returned to Rome to watch the children participate in the walk.

The young students have donated the collected food to Rome Urban Ministries, an ecumenical interdenominational ministry serving needy people in the Rome area.