GOFFSTOWN - Goffstown High School students presented 4,000 canned goods and $1,700 to Goffstown Network President Dave Greiner Friday at the assembly that has become an annual tradition for the school community.

Greiner praised the efforts of students.

"The energy and spirit you have here at Goffstown High School is just fantastic," Greiner said as he accepted the check.

Greiner said the bad news was that there were 252 Goffstown families that didn't have enough to eat this holiday season.

"But the good news is that they're getting help because of your work today," he added.

The total number of donations was down this year, said Student Council member Megan Nault.

Nault and fellow classmate Kim MacPhail went on the school intercom just before the end of the drive to issue a last-ditch effort to increase donations, and were collecting items right up until the assembly.

"We're happy that we got to help, even if it wasn't as much as we wanted," Nault said.

"We're still extremely proud of our school," added MacPhail.

The morning assembly included games the students played for prizes donated by local businesses, a "Grinch" skit performed by students, and a holiday concert for students from Bartlett Elementary School.

Students paused during the assembly for a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. to remember the students from Newtown, Conn., who were killed last week.

Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy declared Dec. 21 an official day of mourning, and Goffstown High School students rang a bell 26 times in remembrance of the 20 students and six staff members of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The proclamation was read by New Hampshire State Rep. Lou D'Allesandro, who also praised the students for their efforts in the food drive.

"The fact that the kids reach out and understand that there are people in need is tremendous," he said. "People helping people is what it's all about."

Food items were trucked by Goffstown ACE Hardware owner Larry Brown to St. Lawrence Parish, where volunteers were ready to make food baskets Friday evening for Saturday distribution.

Greiner said the Network is grateful for the donations.

"They've done a really good job in making sure we get high quality food," he said. "We're really happy with the turnout."

kremillard@newstote.com