More than 2000 cans were collected by the school's council under the leadership of teacher Isaac Hensman for today's Presbyterian Support Octacan foodbank appeal.
Mr Hensman said pupils swapped cans for the opportunity to wear mufti to school last Friday.
Most pupils donated two cans. However, he knew of some who had donated 12, he said.
"The boys here are really willing.
"There is just a kind of generous spirit.''
King's High School pupil Michael Freeman (17) said it was ``important'' to help the community.
"Seeing how much we can contribute as a school just blows me away.''
Presbyterian Support Otago director of communication, fundraising and marketing Monica Lindemann said the school was renowned for donating "pretty impressive mountains of cans''.
"It is something that King's really ought to be commended on.
"They consistently go above and beyond on the number of cans donated, even on a per student basis.''
The school had donated to Octacan since its inception in 2009, she said.
The 2100 cans donated by King's would bolster the 826 cans Presbyterian Support had already collected.
The service hoped to collect 15,500 cans, an 8% increase on the 14,577 cans which were donated last year, she said.
"Unfortunately, demand is once again up 8%.
"There has been an 8% increase in demand for our services throughout the year.''
If the service did not meet the target it would have to look for other means to help people who were struggling.
"Poverty remains a key issue for people.
"It's not that we see the same people over and over; these are different people.
"It is a real problem.''
Octacan will be held from 7.30am to 2.30pm today in the Octagon.
