GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Five days before they don white coats and officially begin their medical school education, the future doctors in Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine put in a day of volunteer work Tuesday.

In Grand Rapids and Lansing, the 200 first-year medical students stocked food pantries, helped with childrens and senior activities, sanitized toys and did outdoor maintenance at community service organizations.

Its a great way to kick off the year because it helps keep the focus on why students are in medical school, even as they begin a period of intense academic study, said student Ricky Rodriguez.

Its good to try to come out here and try to make a difference, said Rodriguez, who was stocking food for the pantry at Salvation Armys Booth Family Services in Grand Rapids. Getting involved in the community is important to a medical school education, said the Miami resident, who is new to West Michigan

I think its a good way to get out there and be part of the Grand Rapids community and see what kinds of volunteer opportunities are out there, said Matthew Thomas, of Bloomfield Hills.

Its a good way to embody what our school represents, added Jeffrey Sweers, of Jenison.

Community service is an integral part of the medical school. Dean Marsha Rappley has said it is critical to know the community and its needs to effectively deliver health care.

While some students stocked the Salvation Army pantry, a group in a nearby room tied slipknots in strings that will be used for balloons in an ArtPrize campaign by the Manessah Project. The organization, part of Wedgewood Christian Services, works to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The students officially kick off the school year Sunday with the White Coat and Matriculation Ceremony.

Other Grand Rapids agencies served by the student are: Mel Trotter Ministries, Catherines Health Care, Porter Hills Village, Heartland Health Care, American Cancer Society, Clark Retirement, Baxter Community Center and Spectrum Health Care.

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See why future doctors are stocking pantry shelves and tying knots in balloon strings