Quarterly Newsletter

Please enjoy our winter edition of our newsletter.

Auburn is an amazing community. Even as the holidays are behind us, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support that enabled AYFS to help hundreds of Auburn families with food assistance, a delicious holiday meal, and provided so many children and teens with gifts.

We are so thankful to all the organizations, businesses, and donors who adopted families, purchased gift cards and gifts, organized food and toy drives, volunteered hours and donated funds to make this all possible .Contributions came from every corner of the community !

Wishing you all the best year ahead.

With great appreciation for the support we receive,

Sally D'Arcangelo, Executive Director

At Thanksgiving time and as a result of the incredible generosity of the Auburn community, including individuals, schools and businesses alike, AYFS provided 218 families with food, impacting 643 people in total. At Christmas, AYFS provided 155 families with food assistance toward a holiday meal, totaling 429 people positively impacted. In addition, we provided 219 children, ages baby through 18, with gifts. THANK YOU as we simply could not do have the impact we do without you!!

This year, we are so fortunate to have two graduate interns from local colleges and universities.

Ama Asiamah is enrolled in the Counseling Psychology Program at Anna Maria College. Ama will be graduating in May with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Anna Vitols is enrolled in a Masters of Social Work program at Boston University. Anna is set to graduate in August of 2026.

Ama and Anna provide counseling support to assigned clients, co-lead clinical groups and assist with various administrative projects at the agency. Interns attend weekly clinical meetings, trainings and receive supervision from our Clinical Director. Welcome, AMA and ANNA!

Beginning on February 5th, we will be extending the hours of the AYFS Food Pantry. The new hours of 10am to 6pm on Wednesdays will allow greater access to families who work during the day. Please know that we will no longer be providing curbside pick up, asking all to come into AYFS after scheduling an appointment by calling 508-832-5707, ext. 102 for a confidential call. We will continue to provide limited deliveries for individuals who do not have transportation to the pantry. Again, the Food Pantry is open on WEDNESDAYS and as of February 5th, the hours will be 10am to 6pm. Please be sure to make an appointment by calling 508-832-5707, ext. 102...thank you!

If you would like to donate food to the AYFS Food Pantry, below is a list of items we are in need of and these items can be dropped off at AYFS, 21 Pheasant Court, Auburn, MA, Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm. THANK YOU!!

AYFS is so fortunate to have the support of individuals and businesses from across the Auburn community and we are SO THANKFUL for that support!

Enjoy this brief video where Ray Butler and others from his team share why they support AYFS as a corporate sponsor. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/hSXreuMqyMg

Won't you consider making a donation, so AYFS can continue to support those who who need it.

SPECIAL THANKS to bankHometown for an incredible donation of $4,500 which will directly benefit the AYFS Food Pantry that helps hundreds each month!

The money was raised from their “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program that helps support local food pantries. The annual appeal is part of the bank’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it serves. The year 2024 marked their 21st year of the bank’s annual appeal which invited customers, employees and community members to donate money between November 1 and November 30 to help address food insecurity. All donations up to $2500 per customer were matched dollar to dollar by bankHometown and the total funds collected were divided amongst participating food pantries and communities the bank serves.

Pictured with Sally D’Arcangelo, AYFS Executive Director, is Tina Puzo, Manager of Auburn’s bankHometown branch. THANK YOU!!