VolunTOTS kids lead the way in Thanksgiving meal packing
Hannah Underwood transports several items of food in her arms to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
ADAMS TWP — Dozens of young volunteers — some barely taller than the tables they worked at — sorted and packed hundreds of Thanksgiving meal boxes at Discovery Christian Church on Saturday morning.
The event was organized by VolunTOTS, a growing volunteer group created to give children a chance to step up and serve their community.
More than 100 children and their families cycled through in shifts, each group sorting goods, packing meals and decorating place mats to accompany each food box. Through a partnership with the Lighthouse Foundation, the group filled 210 nonperishable Thanksgiving boxes for families experiencing food insecurity in Butler and Allegheny counties.
“I think we really wanted to bring forward a service-oriented mindset and an opportunity for kids to serve their community,” said Kim Underwood, an Adams Township resident and a co-founder who serves as the steering committee’s northern representative.
Cameron Swartz pushes his box of food on the floor to maneuver through the crowd of volunteers as he helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
VolunTOTS began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when founder Cami Teacoach struggled to find ways for her then-toddler to contribute to service projects. Early efforts included making care packages for hospital workers and other small gestures that Underwood said helped spark the group’s mission. Since then, VolunTOTS has expanded across the Greater Pittsburgh area, welcoming children from walking age through teenagers.
“We think that everybody — no matter their age — can be a helper,” Underwood said.
The Thanksgiving meal project is in its fifth year, and Underwood said the ongoing partnership with local churches like Discovery has helped streamline planning.
“Discovery has been wonderful,” she said. “They’ve been generous in giving their time and their space for us at no cost so we can host this and impact the local community.”
Each child was assigned specific tasks, whether sorting canned vegetables, packing mashed potato mixes, sealing boxes or decorating place mats. While adults guide the process, Underwood said, the kids do much of the work.
Jackson Underwood helps load a cart of food to be used as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Volunteer Megan Schwartz of Franklin Park brought her three children, who have become regular participants in VolunTOTS events.
“They get so excited,” Schwartz said. “I think it’s empowering, and it shows them in a really concrete way what it means to help other people in our community.”
Schwartz first discovered VolunTOTS at a YMCA community table and quickly followed its Facebook page.
“It shaped who I became growing up,” she said of the importance of the nonprofit’s mission. “I wanted my kids to have that same opportunity.”
Jackson Underwood helps load a cart of food to be used as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Jackson Underwood helps load a cart of food to be used as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A young volunteer reaches for cans to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Scarlett Goldstein picks out cans of green beans to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hannah Underwood sorts and stacks cans of food to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A young volunteer breaks down and throws boxes into a dumpster as volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Bennett Miller draws and colors a large place setting to be placed in one of the food boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mackenzie Harvey draws and colors a large place setting to be placed in one of the food boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Volunteers tapes boxes closed to secure them for shipment as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Volunteers tapes boxes closed to secure them for shipment as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Camden Goldstein and his father Aaron Goldstein help prepare Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mackenzie Harvey helps tape up boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Volunteers help care boxes to be taped secure as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Landon White helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cameron Swartz pushes his box of food on the floor to maneuver easier through the crowd of volunteers as he helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cameron Swartz pushes his box of food on the floor to maneuver easier through the crowd of volunteers as he helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Adaora Onu, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
Adaora Onu, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
Cecilia Budz, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hannah Underwood transports several items of food in her arms to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hannah Underwood transports several items of food in her arms to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jackson Underwood helps load a cart of food to be used as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jackson Underwood helps load a cart of food to be used as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A young volunteer reaches for cans to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Scarlett Goldstein picks out cans of green beans to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Underwood sorts and stacks cans of food to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A young volunteer breaks down and throws boxes into a dumpster as volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Bennett Miller draws and colors a large place setting to be placed in one of the food boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mackenzie Harvey draws and colors a large place setting to be placed in one of the food boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Volunteers tapes boxes closed to secure them for shipment as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Volunteers tapes boxes closed to secure them for shipment as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Camden Goldstein and his father Aaron Goldstein help prepare Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mackenzie Harvey helps tape up boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Volunteers help care boxes to be taped secure as they fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Landon White helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cameron Swartz pushes his box of food on the floor to maneuver easier through the crowd of volunteers as he helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cameron Swartz pushes his box of food on the floor to maneuver easier through the crowd of volunteers as he helps fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Adaora Onu, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
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Adaora Onu, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
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Cecilia Budz, right, helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler
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Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Miles Skonezny helps fill boxes as young volunteers fill and sort Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Underwood transports several items of food in her arms to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Underwood transports several items of food in her arms to be placed in Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need during the fifth annual VolunTOTS of Southwestern Pennsylvania event at Discovery Christian Church in Mars on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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