FAYETTEVILLE -- Hundreds of Fayetteville children and their families now have food and supplies thanks to some hardworking football players including one local player who has made it to the NFL.

E.E. Smith High School's football team tackles community service projects like any other task, by working together as a team. On Wednesday, they were joined by a special alumnus, Demarcus “Tank” Tyler.

"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to come back and give back to my community,” said Tyler. “You know, I've got to stay grounded and remember where I come from to move forward in my future."

Tyler has partnered with an international nonprofit group to help needy families in his hometown. There's 25 pounds worth of food in some of the boxes that were given out Wednesday and toiletries in others. Altogether, "Feed the Children" plans to help out more than 400 families in just Wednesday’s one distribution.

The giveaway took place at Tyler's hometown church, and organizers say the event is important for the community.

"In this day and age, when money is so slack and people are losing their jobs right and left, we feel that whenever we can touch the community and the families in the community as much as we can, we try to do that,” added Mary Haley, a member of Peace Memorial Christian Church.

Aspiring pro football players also got a chance to see their hero in action off the field.

"I always wanted to be like him,” explained E.E. Smith football player Jonathan McPherson. “I want to go to N.C. State just like him. It makes me strive to work harder and do the same thing.”

Tyler also wants the younger players to learn to give back and hopes to provide them more opportunities to volunteer together in the future.

“I want to do as many as I can each year, at least four or five each year,” said Tyler.

This is the second "Feed the Children" giveaway that Tyler has sponsored in Fayetteville.