JAY – Teenagers packed boxes with cereal, fresh fruit, canned vegetables and other food staples Wednesday, and planned to add a ham to each one before delivering the boxes to 15 families in town to give them a boost this holiday season.

Jay High School Student Council advisor Dan Lemieux was giving last minute instructions to members as they waited for Jay police and highway crew workers to arrive.

“If anyone hears of a family who needs a little extra help today, let me know,” Lemieux said.

Verso Paper donated 16 Cook’s spiral sliced hams and there was one left over to go to a family in need that may have been missed, he said.

Social workers at the schools helped generate a list of families that may need some help this year, especially with the price of fuel and other added expenses.

“I think this is a tough year and people are having a hard time paying for fuel … it’s harder to make ends meet,” Lemieux said.

Freshman Courtney Webster said students and staff members from the Jay schools pitched in to collect food. Food donations were made at dances and basketball games as well.

Lemieux said besides food donations received he spent an additional $130 on fresh fruit and staples to complete the food basket.

Lindsay Couture, another freshman, said she feels good about helping out.

“It comes from the good of our hearts,” Couture said.

Students also felt it was good because they go to school with these families and are able to help them out.

Lemieux told them to use the experience as an eye-opener and to respect the privacy of those families they’ll deliver to, and they’ll also realize how fortunate they are compared to others.

“I’ve been doing this for 22 years and it’s a real eye opener,” Lemieux said.

Junior Dylan Stefani said it’s his first time helping out and he liked it.

“I feel that it’s wonderful. We go around and help people who really need it in their lives,” Stefani said.