Marilyn Hellwig was driving to her office in Brentwood earlier this month when she heard something on the radio that shook her.

“I learned that 40 percent of Missouri children rely on subsidized lunch programs during the school year,” she said. “It makes you wonder what happens to those children in the summer when school is out.”

Fortunately the radio station, Fresh 102.5 KEZK, gave listeners an opportunity to do something about it. Hellwig learned about the station’s Christmas in July program to benefit the St. Louis Area Food Bank. If somebody wants to donate at least 102 cans, the station will pick up the cans and deliver them to the food bank.

When Hellwig arrived at work that day in the Hanley Industrial Park, she decided to send an e-mail to all 32 of her coworkers at Fontbonne University Options, where she’s a customer service representative. The office responded by donating 260 nonperishables, which KEZK picked up on Friday.

“It makes me feel good,” said Hellwig. “You never know when the tide will turn and you’ll be needing a food bank.”

For more about Christmas in July, click here: http://fresh1025.radio.com/christmas-in-july/