About 120 Kincardine District Secondary School students and volunteer drivers headed out Saturday morning for the annual Christmas Knights food and toy drive.

And they returned with plenty of new toys and non-perishable food to fill the Christmas hampers this year.

Much to the appreciation of the Kincardine Christmas Hamper committee.

Student co-ordinators Sana Hussein and Alessandra Lozada said there were 20 more students than last year, making up 23 teams.

They canvassed door-to-door throughout the Kincardine area, from Heritage Heights in the south to Huron Ridge in the north.

Anne Gibson, co-ordinator of the hamper program, said the need has increased once more, to 174 hampers this year from 159 last year.

"We have more singles this year," she said, "and about the same number of families, teens and children. The Kincardine Food Bank referred more people this year."

She said that, fortunately, Kincardine is a generous community and the donations poured in, to help fill the hampers.

Gibson also pointed out that she has been co-ordinator for 10 years, and Heather Finnie is potentially going to take over the job.

"Anne's a small lady," said Finnie, "but those are big shoes to fill."

Saturday morning, the St. Anthony's parish hall was filled with excitement and enthusiasm as volunteers helped unload the bags brought in by the students, and sorted the items into food categories and toy categories. There were numerous knitted items and blankets donated, as well as toiletries.

Gibson said the hamper committee and volunteers begin packing Monday afternoon (Dec. 15), and the hampers are ready for pick-up on Friday (Dec. 19).