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KEOKUK, IA. -- A thank you can go a long way and so can a good hearty meal. Keokuk High School students got the chance to say thank you and show their appreciation for area seniors by serving them dinner.

"I like to show that I care about everyone here. The seniors, they've all been a part of my life. So, it's a good way to show that I care about what they've done," said Keokuk H.S Senior volunteer Zach Benedict.

"It's really great to see everyone come together and they're always so grateful," said Keokuk H.S. Junior volunteer Vanessa Shearer.

Seniors were treated to a salt-free holiday meal, free of charge. And while seniors were grateful for a free hot meal, they were just happy to see young people do something from the heart.

" I really believe the young kids, teenagers kind of get a bad rep and the news media, and you come out here and see these kids do this, and you realize these kids are good kids," said Keokuk resident Ronald Fowler.

"It's a such a nice thing, young people do because you never read about young people, only when they do something bad, and there are so many good young teenagers," said resident Mary Miller.

"I really think it's a credit to them. Young people don't get enough recognition and I think it's great. I really appreciate them doing this," said Barbara Smeltser.

90 students from the National Honor Society, student council and special education classes were among the volunteers. Together, they helped serve more than 300 seniors.