SPRINGFIELD TWP. — As cold winds lapped at them Sunday morning, 30 St. Xavier High School students pulled on coats, stocking caps and gloves, ready to embark on the school's 73rd Annual Advent Canned Food Drive.

        They paced to keep warm in the 25-degree weather, waiting for directions to Delhi Township neighborhoods where they'd walk door-to-door seeking donations.

        And they joked that maybe in this part of town they'd get more cans if they said they were from Elder, a west-side boys' high school

        and fierce St. X rival.

        The teens were among hundreds from St. X who spent about five hours on streets all over town Sunday for the food drive, thought to be one of the largest in Greater Cincinnati. The drive will continue next Sunday.

        Their goal: collect about 100,000 pounds of food for 400 families and 15 social service agencies in Cincinnati and Appalachia.

        Some students admitted Sunday they'd normally be home sleeping late, but decided this was more important. Participation is not required, yet 90 percent of more than 1,400 St. X students will help with the food canvass.

        “At St. X, we kind of live by the Jesuit tradition, "Men for others,'” said Brad Greiwe, an 18-year-old senior from Indian Hill. “Doing this really exemplifies what that means. It's a hands-on experience, rather than learning about it in the classroom.”

        Andrew Mathews, a 15-year-old freshman from Delhi, continued a family tradition when he volunteered. His two older brothers were food drive coordinators at St. X.

        “It's a good thing because it brings in lots of food for the homeless who don't have much for the holidays,” Andrew said.

        The students from the Finneytown school fanned out, each carrying a cardboard box that got heavier as residents filled them with generosity.

        Patrick Ross, a 17-year-old senior from Reading, waited on a home's doorstep after the resident told him he had canvassed for St. X. in the 1950s, then went to search for cans.

        “It's always good when you have a X graduate,” Patrick said.

        Vickie Grace loaded a student's box with five cans.

        “I'll give you one from each food group,” she joked.

        Ms. Grace appreciated the students' efforts.

        “Any time kids do something for the community, it's always a worthwhile cause. We adults don't do it as much as we should. It's the youth who keep the charity going.”

        By the time this group finished about 3:30 p.m., Justin Greiwe's car was loaded.

        “My car is almost touching the ground it's got so many canned goods in it,” said Justin, Brad's twin and a St. X senior. “There are cans in the back, and the back seat is full of cans, too. We can't open the doors.”

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