RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Public Schools (RPS) hosted a food distribution event on Saturday to support 400 RPS families in need during the holiday season. On Saturday, Dec. 21, RPS hosted a Holiday Harvest Food Distribution event at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School's cafeteria in collaboration with Feed More and Lulus Local Food to support 400 RPS families. David Waidelich, chief collaboration and programs officer at Feed More, said the event was created to help families who do not have access to the school district's food programs during the holidays. "We recognize that this time period, as well, that the holiday season and the winter are challenges for those that are on some tight budgets to make ends meet," Waidelich said. "So, we figured what better way to spend a little time before the holidays and make sure the families that are in need are able to get some food assistance." Volunteers working to distribute food to 400 Richmond Public School families at the Holiday Harvest Food Distribution event at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 21. (Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)(Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)(Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News)(Photo courtesy: William Berksteiner, 8News) Waidelich said the event offered lean meats, fresh produce, canned foods and desserts for the selected RPS families to enjoy in celebration of the holidays. "Many of the families that we're providing assistance with are those that work hard. They're doing all the right things and just trying to raise a family and make ends meet, and so I hope they know that there's a community out there that cares for them. That supports them," Waidelich said. Vanessa Johnson, family liaison for RPS's office of engagement, and Nichelle Ortiz Torres, school social worker at Dogwood Middle School, volunteered at the event. "This is about the community coming together to support communities, so it's just the right thing to do," Johnson said.