30,000 Meals, 2 Hours, 1 Massive Lenten Service Project

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn put faith in action this Lent with a creative opportunity for almsgiving and service.

Parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn embarked on an ambitious Lenten service project, one meant to love neighbor in a tangible way. (Photo provided)

By Diana Olivas

On Saturday, March 7, the parish hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (IHM) in Northglenn came alive with movement, laughter and a shared sense of purpose. What began as a Lenten community service opportunity quickly became something much more — a lived expression and reminder of what it means to be the Body of Christ. 

During the season of Lent, the Church calls us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving — not as isolated acts, but as a way of walking in step with the Holy Spirit. With this call and the inspiration from the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me food,” 161 parishioners gathered to participate in a meal packing event benefitting the IHM Food Bank. The goal was ambitious: pack 30,000 non-perishable meals in just three hours. But the day did not turn out as expected. 

With volunteers arriving early, filling the parish hall and stepping into the organized setup of long tables and assembly lines, an abundance of energy began to fill the air. Stations were assigned, ingredients began to be measured, and soon a steady rhythm of scooping, sealing and boxing meals emerged. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 87, demonstrating the fullness of the parish community and the encounter with Christ they were yet to experience. 

“It was a great fellowship and community! I met a lot of new people,” one volunteer shared.

The event took place in two shifts, each lasting an hour and a half, allowing more people to join in the shared work of mercy. What could have felt like a task for some instead became an offering of joy and love. 

“I had only signed up to help the parish, but came out with a stronger desire to help my fellow neighbors in need,” another volunteer said. 

In the shared joy, barriers disappeared and strangers became teammates and, before long, friends. Music began playing, and the service felt like a celebration — not about food but about the kind of love Christ calls his disciples to live out. 

“It was so much fun! There was music, laughing and even dancing while scooping our bags together!” one participant recounted. 

It became clear that as the morning progressed, the community was not just meeting a goal; they were surpassing it. 

In just two hours across both shifts, volunteers packed an incredible 32,000 meals, exceeding the goal by 2,000 with an hour to spare. Many said how it was “an easy way to help serve our community,” while others shared that it was a “good way to meet fellow parishioners." Once packaged, the meals were boxed, loaded onto carts and transported to the IHM Food Bank for delivery to those in need. Each box represents more than just food — they represent Jesus’s love and kindness that flowed through those who packaged them.

The event was a collaborative effort among IHM, the IHM Food Bank (Stewardship Center), Knights of Columbus Council 7502 and Meals of Hope, a nonprofit organization that facilitates meal-packing events nationwide. 

The day was the culmination of months of preparation and planning brought to life by God through the hands of volunteers. The event not only made the community stronger, but also allowed each person to do something greater than themselves. 

The impact went beyond those who attended. With a waitlist of over 80 people, the response revealed that many parishioners have a strong desire to minister to the community, giving hope to expanding future opportunities for more to join and grow their faith through action. 

Multiple volunteers noted how wonderful it was to work with “like-minded people for a great cause.” For many, this experience was not only about helping others but also building relationships within the church. In a world where we often feel rushed, disconnected and stressed about our own lives, events like this remind us to pause and ground ourselves again in the love of Christ. It is a reminder that small acts, when multiplied, can make a profound difference. Through faith and fellowship, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish did not just meet a goal; they created something everlasting. 

They fed the hungry. They strengthened the community, both on a personal level and as a whole. They became the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. 

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For more information on hosting your own event, contact Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn at warrenn@ihmco.org.