ESCAMBIA COUNTY - Helping those in need has also become a Thanksgiving tradition.

And today... The 'Fill The Mayflower' campaign came to an end.

The program raised 16-thousand pounds of food and lots of money.

16-thousand pounds... Sounds like a lot of food. Was it anywhere close to their goal.

The food bank did fall short of their goal.

But, they're giving thanks to the community for all the support... And calling the program is a success.

Just off of Highway-98...

"Food drive!"

A lesson in generosity for these Ferry Pass Middle Schoolers.

Spending their day filling.. not exactly the Pilgrim's ship, but... A 51-foot tractor trailer called the "Mayflower."

Nathanael Berrian/Volunteer
"It makes me happy to give people food who are less fortunate."

8th grader Nathanael Berrian enjoys spending part of his Thanksgiving break doing just that... Giving.

Nathanael Berrian/Volunteer
"We're just helping pack food into a truck that we've gotten from people who donate food. They'll drive up and we were out there holding signs to try and draw attention, which it worked."

Worked like a charm...

Cas Dunlab/Donated Food
"I figured if somebody needed some food, it was a good idea."

Cas Dunlab made a stop. He emptied out his cabinets at home to donate.

Cas Dunlab/Donated Food
"These times are particularly hard, you know and it gets your attention. Everybody's having a little bit more trouble than they used to have because of the economy."

Two drop off locations... One goal.

"The food bank collected 6,000 dollars in cash..."

"... that's about 4,000 pounds of food."

But the donations of money and food weren't quite enough to reach their 50-thousand pound goal.

Never-the-less... Organizers say 16-thousand is quite an accomplishment.

Matthew Hoffman/Manna Board VP
"It can seem like a drop in the bucket at times, but it's huge. It goes a long way. A very long way at this point, It's going, it's coming in as fast as it is going out."

Going out to a needy family... Just in time for Thanksgiving.

People here at the food bank say if you wanted to donate, but missed the campaign... You can bring your donations to the here *Monday... Where they'll now be gearing up for Christmas.Fill The Mayflower Food Drive