Kareem Manigault used his savings to help others.

The Murphey Middle School sixth-grader used more than $100 in coin savings to purchase 11 boxes of canned goods to contribute to the school's food drive.

"I wanted to help those who are in need," he said. "It's important to help the community and have a heart for other people."

The boxes were among more than 4,000 canned goods the school donated to the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority and Maxwell House.

The CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority will use the food to help those who are in its supportive housing and shelter plus care programs. Maxwell House will use the food to assist those in its shelter plus care program.

"It's a blessing," said Mary Harrison, supportive housing coordinator for the authority. "A lot of people who come to us have nothing, and they have to start over. This is a blessing for them."

Tina Williams, case manager for Maxwell House, agreed.

"It means a lot to us, and it means a lot to the people we help," she said. "It shows us that there are people of all ages who care and want to give back to the community. We're thankful for what this school has done."

The drive was a joint project between the school's student council and its Parent Teacher Association.

"It started off as a competition, but we all realized that it's not about us or what we can get. It's about helping others," said 14-year-old Jasmine Reeves, the school's student council president.

She was impressed with the response.

"I'm really proud of everyone coming together to do something for the community," she said.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.