MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Students from other states are in Memphis cleaning up neighborhoods, feeding the homeless and distributing community gardens,

More than 120 students from across the country are spending money out of their own pockets to clean up the community.

The teens could be spending some of their summer break doing anything else, but they came to Memphis because they saw the need to make a difference.

“We were called in our hearts to come and serve a different community,” said Noelle Boatwright, a volunteer.

It’s part of a weeklong community service project offered through World Changers and P2 Missions giving students an opportunity to meet the needs of communities.

“Amazing to see all of these kids come from all of these different states throughout the country just to share that love and try to make a difference,” said Hannah Wells with World Changers.

Teens are making improvements to homes, such as a Raleigh residence they were working on Wednesday.

“Painting their home and we are, we’re fixing their handrails on their front porch,” said Boatwright.

Boatwright is in Memphis from South Carolina. She along with everyone else spent $250 each to come on the mission trip.

“I just call around and say, hey my mission trip is coming up and I need some sponsors because I can’t get the money all on my own, would you like to donate some money so I can go on this mission trip, and they mostly all say yes,” she explained.

“They pay for their travel here, all the food that they eat, that’s outside of our lodging facility, they pay for all of that,” said Wells.

Students said the money they spent was worth it.

This project is going on through Friday. There are 11 crews sites; students are also in Bartlett and West Memphis.