Contact: Alexia Nestora, 303-898-3376

LOVELAND, CO, Aug. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today Group Workcamps announced the total number of canned goods collected throughout its summer youth mission season: 156,044. All food items were donated to the local communities where the youth served for the summer.

"In the past we've had churches bring an item that represents their youth group and they trade with another group at their camp," said Jeff Thompson, Camp Operations Manager. "Instead, this year we wanted to do something to give back to the community even more than the service being done. We knew that virtually every community had a food back or pantry that supported people in need. It seemed like a great connection to the rest of the work we've done for years in communities across the country."

The canned food drive took place in more than 150 different youth mission camps across the United States with more than 23,000 kids contributing to the effort.

The cans were donated directly to the local food pantry or food bank in the community where the youth served and local partners communicated with each organization to determine what was most needed. The canned goods were then delivered as part of the celebration the last night of camp each week.

Group Workcamps Foundation specializes in home repair and community service youth mission trips across the U.S. To view 2010 youth mission locations visit: www.groupworkcamps.com or call 800.385.4545.

About Group Workcamps
Group Workcamps Foundation exists as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to provide short-term mission trips that help children, youth and adults connect to Jesus while serving people in Christ's name. Group Workcamps trips are ecumenical, focusing on the core Christian beliefs that bring the Christian church together. Since 1977, more than 300,000 participants have grown in their relationship with Christ, while providing more than 6 million hours of volunteer service directly to people in need.