A group of ninth-graders at Al-Ihsan Academy, a private school housed inside the Islamic Center of Detroit, is gathering thousands of food items to donate the needy as Ramadan winds down.

The school has a food drive every year, but this year a group of boys and girls wanted to take it to the next level.

“We wanted to share it with the community,” said Alladin Obeid, 14.

As part of a spiritual health class, two groups put together plans that they presented to school administrators to spread the effort outside the school.

Girls organized a bake sale and boys distributed flyers and spread the word among their families, neighborhoods and mosque community about donating non-perishables, all to go to be sent to the charity Islamic Relief.

“We’re off to a really good start,” said science and health teacher Patti Picard. “They bring cases of food. We go all out.”

A massive stack of boxes filled with canned food lines a hall at the school.

One family alone, owners of a wholesale food company, donated over 1,000 items.

“It feels good to know that you’re helping people who are having a rough time,” said Ammar Al-Qouqa, 13.

Nasher Obeid, 14, said the project has taught them lessons of how to be a leader, how to take action and how to reach out to the public.

For information on donating items or participating in the food drive, call 313-584-6448.