More than 40 volunteers gathered at the Austintown Community Church Friday night to prepare 300 Thanksgiving bags for those in need around the Valley.

These bags include paper towels, soaps, other cleaning products, stuffing, potatoes, and sliced turkey breast.

"It's a great opportunity to help those in need," said Mark Nelson, Lead Pastor of the Austintown Community Church. 

"I think it's amazing," said Michele Corll, Children's Ministry Leader of the Austintown Community Church. "The opportunity that we get to help people right here in Austintown and in our community with just something as simple as a dinner. We're very fortunate that we have a team here at the church that works in our 'Need Room.' They started a few months ago buying and collecting food. We receive a lot of our food from Second Harvest Food Bank, local donations, and also from our preschool right here at the church."

"We're packing bags for the families that need Thanksgiving food," said 3rd grader Adelynn. "I feel really happy being able to help people."

"It's important to help others, this time of year especially," said Richard Slater of Youngstown. "A lot of people are hurting. It's a tough economy. They're very grateful and they're always very thankful. They thank us and bless us. It's rewarding."

The completed bags will be distributed this Saturday, beginning at 8:30 am as a drive-up event. 

Close to 100 bags will also go to students in the Austintown School District on Monday.

"We had to opportunity to work with the counselors of the Austintown Schools," Corll added. "We are working with the elementaries, the middle school and the high school and also the HOPE Program to give bags to those families."

The church has been giving out Thanksgiving bags for over a decade. They also distribute food every Wednesday as they work to live up to their mission of spreading love and helping others.

Participants must have registered in advance to receive a bag. Visit Austintown Community Church's website to learn more about the charity work you can participate in.