Thousands turn out for National Make a Difference Day.
FORT MYERS, Fla. - For these volunteers, it's a Saturday spent wisely.
"Come out and do something rather than sleeping in so it's productive," said Janine Silang, a freshman at FGCU.
And for a good cause, National Make A Difference Day.
"Groups got together all around the country and said let's all set aside where we come in as families, as groups," said Al Brislaine, the president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers.
This group was making a difference at the food bank. More than 30 college students and Wells Fargo employees filled mesh bags with vegetables to feed families.
"It's great the outpouring of support we're getting," added Brislaine.
And much-needed. There's about 7,000 pounds of squash, zucchini and cucumbers that need sorting and packing.
"The problem is that we have to repack and give them out to people and that's where the volunteers come in," explained Brislaine.
Most are freshman, accruing extra hours of community service for college credit.
"It's really awesome to be able to give my time and help these people because we take what we have for granted," said Katie Swafford, a freshman at FGCU.
Others a little younger, there with their parents as they set a good example.
"My dad signed me up for it and it's fun and I'll go for anything," said Elliot Steinberg, an eight-grader at St. Francis Xavier School.
Other community service projects in Fort Myers were at the Gulf Coast Humane Society, Cypress Cove Retirement Community and FGCU Family Resource Center. And in Bonita Springs at the Eden Autism Center. More than 3,000 turned out.
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