WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith and her executive staff, along with other volunteers spent the day before Thanksgiving at the Capital Area Food Bank packing 200 boxes for seniors in D.C. "Holidays always make me feel like I should be doing a little bit more and stuff like this is a good way to give back," said Andrew Vu from Fairfax County. "Growing up, my parents had me in the Boy Scouts and I always enjoyed doing the volunteer work back then. And I figured as an adult, I can continue doing that without trying to earn a merit badge." Hunger is a problem year round but it's really felt during the holidays. "We serve roughly 10,000 seniors a month. For perspective, the DMV has one of the highest rates of senior food insecurity in the nation," said Megan Curran, the director of community engagement at the Capital Area Food Bank. Large crowds expected at DMV bars for ‘Drinksgiving’ Standing side by side with volunteers from across the DMV, Smith said volunteering is part of their commitment to policing with purpose and serving with care. "We brought our entire executive team to come out today to show how much we care about this city and how much we care about our residents here in D.C.," said Smith. Smith said she knows what food insecurity feels like. "Usually when I'm not able to get away for the holidays, this is the place that I love to come and be able to give back to seniors," said Smith. Assistant Chief Lashay Makal said her family didn't have much growing up in D.C. either. "This right here, it means everything to me to be able to be in a position to give back to the community," said Makal. "We want to be here and we want to give back to the community. So I think this is policing with purpose." Volunteers gave thanks by giving back. "I'm thankful for life. I'm thankful for my family and my friends. And I'm thankful to be the chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department," said Smith.