WATERVILLE — A recent penny collecting competition at Mount Merici Academy raised $1,361 for The Lighthouse, a dining place.

The Waterville Area Soup Kitchen operates the 38 College Ave. site, where guests can have a meal and socialize from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Monday through Friday.

“Bruce White, one of our state representatives, challenged the community to raise money to cover the cost of rent for Waterville Area Soup Kitchen’s The Lighthouse. The students participated by collecting pennies and competing between classes in a ‘penny war’ to support the cause,” said Stacy Shoulta, director of mission and theology at Mount Merici Academy, according to a news release from Dave Guthro, communications director, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

The money raised was enough “to cover a month’s rent and then some,” according to Shoulta.

During an assembly, Rep. Bruce White and Carla Caron, president of the soup kitchen’s board of directors, were presented with a check representing the donation.

“We chose the soup kitchen for our fundraiser because our junior high students volunteer there weekly as part of our service program,” said Shoulta. Over the last two years, The Lighthouse has served nearly 30,000 guests.

For more information, visit watervilleareasoupkitchen.com.

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