FARMINGTON – Forty-seven high school students and four hours of bowling resulted in raising more money for local food pantries than expected.

Mt. Blue High School students, both National Honor Society members and others, participated in Friday’s NHS Bowl-a-thon at Meadow Lanes in East Wilton.

“We raised much more money than I ever thought possible, $2,263,” society President Sam Cohen said Friday afternoon.

A service-oriented group, the NHS wanted to do something to help those in crisis due to the economic recession. They decided raising money for the Wilton and Farmington food banks was a step in the right direction, Cohen said.

Students gathered pledges on the number of points they would bowl or donations prior to Friday.

Amanda Hall raised the most money: More than $300 in pledges and donations.

While students needed to raise a minimum of $15 to bowl, the average donation per person was more than $48, he said.

“This is an indication of the generosity of donors and the enthusiasm of the bowlers,” he said.

The money will be split between the two food banks giving each more than $1,100.