AUGUSTA — In observance of Maine Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25-31, students at St. Michael School, 56 Sewall St., will collect donations during the week to benefit the Augusta Food Bank. On Friday, Jan. 30, the donations will be presented to a representative from the food bank at a school-wide assembly in the gym at 1:15 p.m., according to a news release from the Diocese of Portland.

“We want our children to understand that small acts of giving are of great value to those in need,” said Denise Levesque, marketing director at St. Michael. “Our students are regularly active in volunteer initiatives throughout the community. The collection will further ignite their spirit, compassion, and understanding of service.”

Established in 1981, the Augusta Food Bank provides a supplemental source of food to individuals and families in need. The food bank serves an average of 350 local households each month.

The service project is part of the annual Maine Catholic Schools Week which celebrates the mission of Catholic Schools: to evangelize students by nourishing faith and encouraging academic excellence while accentuating the importance of community and service in a nurturing environment, according to the release.

As part of the week long celebration, St. Michael School will host a variety of events, including visits from Bishop Robert P. Deeley on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Barbara Walsh on Friday, Jan. 30.

For a complete schedule of Maine Catholic Schools Week activities at St. Michael, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/catholic-schools-week-st-michael-school.