USS Gerald Ford members helping Mission Mart. (Source: Souls Harbour Rescue Mission)

The crew who sailed into the Halifax Harbour on board one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers are lending a helping hand.

Seventy sailors from USS Gerald Ford have been using their shore leave to help Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

They’ve been sorting a mountain of donations at their Mission Mart thrift store.

“We joke that our donations sometimes overflow and become a ‘mountain’,” says Souls Harbour CEO Michelle Porter. “When they get too high, it becomes problematic, for building and safety concerns. This group from the USS Gerald R Ford came just in time!”

The mission’s mandate is to help people experiencing poverty with food, clothing, shelter, and recovery programs.

The nuclear-powered ship is on its first deployment and has been participating in naval exercises in the North Atlantic.

The more than $13 billion warship left its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 4th.