CAMBRIDGE – The athletes and coaches of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School’s new indoor track and field team wanted to say thank you to the residents of the county for all their support this season.

So they decided to reach out, to share their food and fitness with their less fortunate neighbors. The runners, jumpers and throwers put together a food drive to benefit the pantry at the Community Action Center (CAC) in Cambridge, a division of Delmarva Community Services, Inc.

When the athletes learned from their coaches how hunger affects more local residents than many people may realize, and that the CAC’s pantry distributes well over 1,000 bags of groceries every month, they embraced the idea.

“We wanted to give back to our community,” Boys’ Head Coach John Shaw said. “We thought this would be a good way to show our gratitude for this opportunity we’ve been given to compete and to work on our fitness.”

Those who receive food from the pantry are first cleared by the county’s Department of Social Services. They then are given, once a month, a bag of groceries to supplement their supply at home. The amount of food given is based on the number of individuals in the household.

Brenda Fields supervises the pantry. “Thank you so much,” she said when the boxes and bags from C-SD arrived unexpectedly. “They’ll really appreciate this.”

As the team wraps up its winter season, after having enjoyed the meets and practices, as well as the friendship that came with it, the athletes were glad for the chance to express their gratitude.

Avery Woolford is a junior who jumps and sprints for the Vikings. A veteran one winter and two spring seasons, Avery said, “It’s nice knowing I could give back to some of the people who supported us.”