VALPARAISO | Sixteen Valparaiso families will have a heartier Thanksgiving, thanks to the efforts of Valparaiso University School of Law students.

The students packed up "meals in a basket" Tuesday for distribution through the Hilltop Neighborhood food pantry.

Members of the Multicultural Law Student Association raised funds for the projects through pizza sales at the law school, student activity funds and donations.

They then bought baskets and the items to fill them: mashed potatoes, beans, corn, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, biscuits, pumpkin pie and gift certificates to buy a turkey.

MLSA President Colleen Price said the group filled the baskets with ingredients rather than prepared items to give recipients a project to bring the family together on Thanksgiving.

Price called the effort part of being a good citizen at a time when people need help every day in feeding their families.

"That's why we're in law school, she said.

The students were able to double the number of families helped this year, Price said.

"It gives people hope," she said. "We wish we could help more families."