AUBURN — Filled with the joy of the Christmas season, parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Auburn answered the call, helping to feed the hungry by placing donations in food baskets at Sacred Heart and St. Philips churches.

Nearly 700 parish individuals/families donated items with an estimated retail value of more than $3,000.

The food was distributed to more than 25 parish families in need and given to St. Mary’s Nutrition Center in Lewiston, High Street Church in Auburn and Seventh-Day Adventist food pantries, which serve hundreds of individuals and families throughout the area each month.

Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Poor Fund Outreach Program helps parishioners and families referred to the parish with fuel assistance, food, shelter and other services. For more information about the program or to offer support, contact Deacon Denis Mailhot at 207-782-8096, ext. 1203.