5 Places to Donate Locally

1. Helps Fight Hunger Program: This program makes it easy for customers to donate food and money in three ways. For more information, visit the Hannaford website.

• Buy One, Give One (now until Dec. 18): For each 10.5-10.75 oz. can of My Essentials brand Chicken Noodle or Tomato condensed soups purchased, Hannaford's is donating one to a regional food bank.

• Hannaford Helping Hands (now until Dec. 31): Customers can purchase a box for $10. This box is filled with groceries most in need by local food pantries (boxed macaroni, peanut butter, canned meat, etc.). Hannaford's has a daily pick-up of these boxes and the customer has the option of writing his or her name on the box. It is also possible to deliver the box to the local pantry in person. As a token of appreciation, Hannaford's gives each contributor a book of coupons.

• At the register (now until Dec. 31): It is also possible to donate directly at the cash register. Customers can donate money to a regional food bank, in increments of $5. The store gives these customers a book of coupons as well.

2. provides low-income families and individuals recovering from mental illness with furniture (tables, chairs, sofas, bed frames, etc.), kitchen items (plates, silverware, glassware), linens, bedding, blankets and other housewares. For a full list of items accepted, visit the website. Furniture Options is a program of Marlborough-based . Visit its websiteFurnishing Options also graciously accepts your tax-deductible, monetary donations by mail.

3. Navin Holiday Benefit Ice Show Exhibition and Public Skate: Join Facility Management Corporation (FMC) Ice Sports and on Saturday, Dec. 17. Skaters bringing a canned good or an unwrapped toy (value must be equivalent to $5 or more) get free admission to the public skate. All proceeds from this event go to the and the United Way of Tri-County's "Hope for the Holidays" program. For more information, visit Navin Arena-FMC Ice Sports' website. There's also still time to make a cash donation to United Way of Tri-County to offset the cost of "Hope for the Holidays 2011".

Ice Show: 3-3:50 p.m.
Public Skate: 3:50-4:50 p.m.

General Admission: $5
Rental Skates available on a first-come, first-serve basis: $4

4. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is an organization providing one-on-one adult mentoring to at-risk children right here in the Metrowest area. You donate clothing, shoes, small household items and toys, then BBBS sells these goods to local thrift stores and uses 100 percent of the money from these sales for the program. If you're short on time like many people are around the holidays, BBBS picks up donations right at your doorstep! If you prefer to drop-off items yourself, there is no drop-box in Marlborough, but there is a list of locations on BBBS's website. The site also gives you information on how to schedule a pick-up, what items are accepted and how to make a monetary donation online.

5. Toys for Tots is a program of the United States Marine Corps Reserves. New, non-violent, unwrapped toys are collected for local children in need, ages newborn to 18 years, and distributed as Christmas gifts. There are 26 drop-off locations right here in Marlborough including the , 217 Maple St. (taking donations up to Dec. 20) and L S Boule Company (ServiceMaster), 165 Main St. (taking donations up to Dec. 16). For a full list of drop-off locations, visit Toys for Tots' website. You may also donate toys at any Massachusetts State Police barracks.

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