Some visitors from the north are getting a new perspective on eastern Kentucky while helping feed local children.
WYMT's Marie Luby met with the group of alternative spring breakers from Ithaca College - her alma mater in New York.

Dustin Newcombe and other Ithaca College students are spending their spring break helping Owsley County Outreach. Thursday's project is packing food for the backpack program that sends food home with underprivileged children.

Newcombe says, I mean I can't go half a day without eating, so I can't imagine being a growing kid and not eating for a whole entire weekend."

Owsley County's After School Programs Director says the help makes a difference for hundreds of local students.

Linda Witt says, "They take some of the things home and make the recipes that they learn in our after schools class, and actually get to help take care of the family."

The alternative spring breakers are also volunteering in Booneville's thrift store and at the local senior citizens center, learning eastern Kentucky is not always what they see in the national media.

Ithaca College sophomore Anna Funck says, "I'm here with great people, I'm doing great stuff, I'm meeting great people."

Owsley County Outreach Director Cleda Turner says, "It makes me very proud because we're able to show them the best and the worst ... we get it out, both sides, with these kids, and then they can go back and tell others."

Visiting eastern Kentucky is no trip to the beach; for these students, it's better.

Friday the Ithaca College group is helping with a chicken and dumpling fundraiser for the backpack program. You can pick up a meal at the thrift store in Booneville from 11 to 2.