BENTON - The giving season started early for the 100 people gathered in St. Joseph Catholic Church's Parish Hall in Benton on Friday night. But what they received in return could be the best gift they get this year.

The volunteers were taking part in the 28th annual Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance's food and toy drive. Hefting box after box, can after can, the volunteers packed 364 food baskets for those less fortunate this Christmas season.

"It makes you feel good, knowing you are helping other people," Donna Fowler of Thompsonville said. "This is our way of helping out the community. This is what Christmas is all about."

Helping others by volunteering his time helps Dave Webster remember the reason for the season.

"This takes away some of the commercialism of the holiday. Here you are helping people who need help and passing along the spirit of Christmas," said Webster of Benton. "And so many people give in so many ways. It's a real group effort -businesses, churches, schools, individuals and organizations - it couldn't be done without everyone's help."

Beth Hoffman, student advisor of the Upward Bound program at Rend Lake College, brought along 25 program participants to help with the basket packing.

"We try and teach the kids to give to others and this is a good way for them to learn," she said, adding that 30 kids from the program will help with delivery of the baskets this morning.

One of them, Angela Richerson, 15, learned her lesson Friday night.

"This makes me feel like there are ways I can give back to the community," the McLeansboro teenager said as she began to load another box. "People have helped me and now I am helping other people."

In all, the volunteers were helping about 1,200 people in the Benton, West City, Ewing, Whittington, Logan and Macedonia areas, said Vicki Seagle, director of the alliance's food pantry. That number represents an increase of about one-third over last year, she said.

"The need is increasing. We are living with extreme poverty in this area. People are unemployed. Their electricity bills are sky high.

"They are struggling to pay for their basic needs," she said. "This gives them a little extra for the holiday season."

Thankfully, she said, the people in the community "are extremely generous. People in this area really take care of their own."

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