Despite the downturn in the economy -- or perhaps, because of it -- Orem Junior High School's student council opted to raise, rather than lower, the school's donation goal for its annual canned food drive.

The student council-sponsored event will be Monday through Friday, and all contributions will go to the Community Action Food Bank at 815 S. Freedom Blvd. in Provo, said Derek Rentz, Orem Junior High's student council advisor.

"We talked about the economic downturn, and the student council was very confident this morning. We have about 3,000 cans donated every year -- even last year when the economy had started to turn -- and they set a goal of 4,000 cans this year," he said. "They pledged to try to get that much, which would be about five cans per student."

Rentz said the 4,000-can goal was set because of the need, with some students feeling they personally know families who are struggling.

"There have been a lot of people losing their jobs," said ninth-grader Emma Porter, secretary of state on the student council. "Some people have been talking about not having enough sometimes."

The Community Action Food Bank in Provo is the second largest food bank in Utah, and serves Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties, according to the organization's Web site. More than 2.3 million pounds of food are distributed annually to thousands of families and many local service organizations.

"People can experience life-changing emotions when they feel they have help," said Kelsie Christiansen, student council vice president.

The food drive not only raises students' awareness of what is going on around them, but also gives them the chance to be involved in a service project that shows school unity, said Alissa Russell, also a student council member.

One of her tasks for the project has been coordinating the pick-up with the food bank.

"We come together for a cause," said Porter.

Healthy soups, canned meats, macaroni and cheese and a variety of other foods are encouraged for donations.

"Anything that can be prepared in a pinch and be a meal," Rentz said.

Items that have passed their expiration date must be discarded, and products that are home-canned or are in glass containers cannot be used.

A former Orem Junior High student currently in high school has become a legendary figure in the school's history.

He earned his own money, shopped for canned goods at a warehouse store, and in each of his three years attending the school, donated between $200 to $300 worth of food for the drive -- a unique effort that inspired and motivated other students, Rentz said.

The drive is generally handled as a first-period class competition, Rentz said, noting that a small doughnut party may be offered to the winning class.

"But these students really have no ulterior motives and usually donate for the sheer good of serving others," he said.