This Thanksgiving, students around the country will be holding the “Second Annual World’s Largest Thanksgiving Dinner” to raise money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The student-run, community-service project will be held in school cafeterias nationwide on the same day, November 18, the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

The event is sponsored by Youth Service America and America’s All Stars.

The Disaster Relief Fund helps the victims of the hurricanes in Florida and the southeast as well as thousands of other disaster victims around the country.

“This allows students to get involved in an exciting community-service project that helps people in a meaningful and tangible way,” says Brian Roquemore, founder of America’s All Stars.

“It’s important for young people to experience the satisfaction that comes from knowing that someone’s life is better because they cared enough to give their time,” Roquemore added.

“And there are a lot of really great kids, doing a lot of really great things for their communities; this is one example of how young people are making the world a better place.”

Last year, schools in states across the country from Alaska to Florida and California to Maine raised as much as $3,000 per school. Participating in this event will teach students how to plan a financial budget, design materials, fundraising, and public speaking.

“Young people are eager to help wherever they can to strengthen our communities especially in times of crisis; they represent real assets and resources,” said Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “As a proud sponsor of this event, we look forward to watching young people reap the rich rewards that can result from giving back to others.”