Five years after Hurricane Katrina hit, people are still trying to recover.

Now a group of Opp Middle Schoolers is doing their part to aid in the recovery process, but they need the community’s help.

OMS Fellowship of Christian Athletes is currently holding a canned food drive for Hurricane Katrina victims in Waveland, Miss.

FCA sponsor Lance McCollough said the Waveland area was just east of the hurricane’s eye wall and sustained severe damage.

“Five years later, they are still recuperating,” he said. “They have requested food, and we have decided to help.”

McCollough said this is the first mission-type project the FCA has under taken.

“We’ve had FCA for seven or eight years, but we’re just trying to become more of a missional organization,” he said.

McCollough said the students found out about the need from members of Opp’s Westview Baptist Church, who have traveled to the area and helped with reconstruction.

McCollough said the donations from middle schoolers are starting to trickle in, but with the Veterans Day holiday, donations are coming slowly.

Now, the group is asking for the public’s help.

“We’re hoping it will pick up soon,” he said. “Maybe people in the community can help by picking up an extra item or two while they’re out shopping for Thanksgiving.”

McCollough said anyone interested in helping support the cause can give any kind of non-perishable food items whether it be canned items, dried peas and beans, grains, oats or vacuum-packed tuna.

Anyone interested in donating these items may drop off at OMS on Stewart Avenue.

“We’ll take the items up to the first of December,” McCollough said.