On the third Thursday of each month, Swampscott Middle School math teacher Matt Moran and a group of his current and former students make their way after school to Anchor Food Pantry.

Rather than going home to do homework or play video games, the students spend their time unloading trucks of donated goods and stocking shelves to be ready for customers.

Moran’s classes have been doing it for years, and the relationship between the two has grown stronger over time. For the last two years, Moran has sat on the board at Anchor Food Pantry.

Around once a month, some students stand inside of Swampscott Stop & Shop, passing out cards to customers that show what is needed at Anchor. Store customers will then pick up and purchase the goods and donate them right away.

“It’s amazing how many people in this community care and really want to help,” said Moran. “It’s a testament to the town.”

Moran explained that while National Honor Society students may have a modest community service requirement, all of the students involved are highly motivated to contribute and often dedicate far more time than what is expected.

“It’s such an incredible group of people who really care,” said Moran. “All they want to do is help the community.”

The partnership has shown the students how the community they live in goes above and beyond to help others in need. It has also helped show them that there are many people in Swampscott that need assistance on a weekly basis, Moran said.

“It really opens their eyes,” he said. “They realize how many people in the community are struggling.”

Each month, Moran sends out a document to students that details the service opportunities for that month. Spots fill up very quickly.

The amount of donations collected by the students, both at Stop & Shop and through food drives, leaves Moran and his students shocked and speechless.

“It’s just such a rewarding and fulfilling experience for the students,” said Moran. “We have such a committed group of students. It’s not just one.”

Moran said it also helps students realize that problems like having a heap of homework aren’t that bad.

“They reevaluate how lucky they are,” he said.