PLAISTOW - The spirit of Christmas is alive and well at Timberlane Regional High School.

For nearly three decades, the school has run Mealey's Meals, a fundraiser that helps needy families during the holidays.

Timberlane teacher William Mealey Sr. began the program in 1980 in his Advanced Placement U.S. history class, with about eight students. Twenty-seven years later, the program is still going strong. Stronger than ever, in fact.

In its first year, the money collected helped feed nine families. Last year, more than $8,000 was raised, enough to feed more than 100 families.

"The initial goal was to give families enough for two weeks worth of food," said Timberlane teacher Bill Mealey, the son of the program's founder. "Most of the time, parents have to make a choice between food on the table and a present. We want to help alleviate the need so they can deal with the want."

The formula is simple. The program raises money using change jars scattered throughout the district's schools. Members of the Students of Service help out by walking through the school during lunch periods asking for donations. Local businesses and parents also pitch in with donations.

Bill Mealey runs the program with fellow teachers Ray Moore and Tricia Lepine, but other staff members help out as well. The school has bookkeeper Doreen Vasta helping to keep track of the proceeds, often filling her office with coins, bills and students counting money.

"With a business, (bosses) probably say, 'Do your charity, but do it on your own time,'" Mealey said. "Not many of them would allow the bookkeeper to help keep track of the money coming in."

Working off a list provided by the school district's nursing staff, the money is divided up among the needy families in the area. Last year, the program was able to provide $80 gift certificates to grocery stores for 117 families.

"We'd like to give more this year," Mealey said.

Helping the families is reward enough, but Lepine said it's also satisfying to see the students get involved in the project.

"It gives us the chance to see students in a way that we don't ordinarily get to inside the classroom," she said.

The program faces quite a challenge this year since the list of families in need has already reached 150.

"We had a record year last year, and this year's going to be tough," Moore said. "My biggest fear is that we can't help every person that needs it. That can be very demoralizing."

For now, all they can do is what they have always done - accept the donations, one penny at a time.

"People at home probably say that pennies really don't matter, but we'll take them," Mealey said.

To make a donation

Mail checks or cash donations to:

ATTN Mealey's Meals

Timberlane Regional High School

36 Greenough Road

Plaistow, NH .03865

Items can also be delivered to the high school, care of Mealey's Meals

Items accepted:

Cash donations, checks, gift certificates to Market Basket, Shaw's, Hannaford's, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Kohl's, Strawberries, Blockbuster, movie theaters, hair salons, etc.