Feeding the hungry is a noble goal, but Trinity Lutheran School in

Springfield takes it a step further. The school recently won a National School of Distinction award, given to fewer than 2,000 schools nationwide, from the nonprofit Schools Fight Hunger program run by ConAgra Foods. Trip Rodgers, principal at Trinity, says the school has done a Thanksgiving food drive for several years running, collecting enough food last year to feed 12 families in Springfield. This year, however, Rodgers said the students decided to expand their program into the Christmas season. The 8th grade class at Trinity hopes to collect 1,000 universal product codes (UPCs) from ConAgra products like Hunts Ketchup, Healthy Choice meals, Peter Pan peanut butter and more. For each UPC collected, ConAgra will donate a meal to a needy family. “We really try to be involved in the community,” Rodgers said. “We want our students to serve others, because that’s one of our core values.” Rodgers said anyone wishing to help can drop off ConAgra UPCs at the school, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, during regular school hours.