POST FALLS - Kids have a way of helping those in need.

Students in Post Falls' six elementary schools collected 15,543 pounds of food for the Post Falls Food Bank during the seventh annual Elementary School Food Drive Challenge that concluded on Thursday.

"From the kickoff assembly to the visit of the judges these kids worked hard for the food bank," said John Klapp, the gifted and talented facilitator at Seltice Elementary. "Many people in our school community use the food bank every month so when we are helping the food bank we are helping our schools."

The Frederick Post Kindercenter raised 4,939 pounds, followed by Seltice with 2,560 and West Ridge 2,104.

Schools held spirit competitions in hopes of maximizing their donations for the program. A panel of judges voted on the spirit portion of the event. Seltice won that part for the third time in four years, followed by Frederick Post and Prairie View. Schools were judged on student participation, community involvement, incentives, food display and other factors.

"There has not been a single time in the history of the Post Falls Food Bank that our community has witnessed such a dramatic increase in services requested," said Mark Jones, food drive organizer. "This yearly donation comes at an important time leading into summer. That's when the food bank witnesses an increase in demand."

Post Falls students have collected a total of 19,943 pounds of food this school year.

"This year's amount was a little less than years past, but it was still a great amount," Jones said.

The seven-year total for the food drives is 131,943 pounds.

"Our schools devote a lot of time to many community causes," Jones said. "It's nice for them to collaborate on something wholeheartedly."