FREEPORT – Freeport Community Services has begun taking applications for its Holiday Helpline, and the deadline is Dec. 2.

Those interested should visit Freeport Community Services at 53 Depot St., and obtain an application from Sue Mack. The Holiday Helpline provides clothing and/or footwear, for children and an adult gift up to $40 in value for families in need from Freeport and Pownal. And this year, through its new collaboration with the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, which will provide four toys per child up to age 19, Freeport Community Services can concentrate more on necessities.

“Holiday Helpline is where we try to match services with families in need,” said Melanie Sachs, executive director at Freeport Community Services. “The partnership with Bruce Roberts is new. It frees up resources for us. Now we can supply two warm pieces of clothing, for instance.”

According to a Community Services press release, the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund has been supporting families and providing toys for children in the Freeport area since 1949.

“It’s a great program,” said Sue Mack, family service coordinator at Freeport Community Services. “We took one great program and combined it with another. I see nothing but a plus for the whole community on this.”

Those associated with Freeport Community Services say volunteers remain essential to the success of the Holiday Helpline program.

Instead of toy donations this year, it is hoped donors will supply two new articles of warm clothing per child, and one gift for each adult in a family. For some adults, whether elderly, disabled, ill, and/or unemployed, this may be the only gift they receive the entire year.

Each of the families also will receive a “Fund-A-Feast” box from Hannaford Supermarket and a gift card for food from Bow Street Market.

Freeport Community Services will match donors and families for these items from now through Dec. 2. Cash donations for the Holiday Helpline program also are welcome. In addition, contributions to the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, donations of $10 gift cards from Bow Street Market (identified as limited to food/household supplies) and gift wrap are also ways to help.

Contact Mack at 865-3985, ext. 205, for details about adopting a family, or to donate to the Holiday Helpline program. Donor-supplied items must be delivered on Dec. 9, 10 or 11.

Volunteers also are needed to wrap toys/presents, and sort and distribute gifts and food boxes. Contact Debbie Daggett, at 865-3985, ext. 206.

A CLOSER LOOK

Freeport Community Services will hold its Thanksgiving program again this year. Families have three options, according to a news release:

• If you live in Freeport or Pownal, you can sign up for a Thanksgiving box, which will include a turkey and all the fixings for a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.

• If transportation is a problem, volunteers will deliver a hot dinner to your door.

• Azure Cafe? of Freeport will host the annual Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Freeport Community Center, from noon-2 p.m. Anyone is welcome, from any town. There is no charge, and nothing to bring, but they do ask that you call and reserve a spot.

Sue Mack will accept calls through Nov. 22, at 865-3985, ext. 205.

FREEPORT – Freeport Community Services has begun taking applications for its Holiday Helpline, and the deadline is Dec. 2.

Those interested should visit Freeport Community Services at 53 Depot St., and obtain an application from Sue Mack. The Holiday Helpline provides clothing and/or footwear, for children and an adult gift up to $40 in value for families in need from Freeport and Pownal. And this year, through its new collaboration with the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, which will provide four toys per child up to age 19, Freeport Community Services can concentrate more on necessities.

“Holiday Helpline is where we try to match services with families in need,” said Melanie Sachs, executive director at Freeport Community Services. “The partnership with Bruce Roberts is new. It frees up resources for us. Now we can supply two warm pieces of clothing, for instance.”

According to a Community Services press release, the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund has been supporting families and providing toys for children in the Freeport area since 1949.

“It’s a great program,” said Sue Mack, family service coordinator at Freeport Community Services. “We took one great program and combined it with another. I see nothing but a plus for the whole community on this.”

Those associated with Freeport Community Services say volunteers remain essential to the success of the Holiday Helpline program.

Instead of toy donations this year, it is hoped donors will supply two new articles of warm clothing per child, and one gift for each adult in a family. For some adults, whether elderly, disabled, ill, and/or unemployed, this may be the only gift they receive the entire year.

Each of the families also will receive a “Fund-A-Feast” box from Hannaford Supermarket and a gift card for food from Bow Street Market.

Freeport Community Services will match donors and families for these items from now through Dec. 2. Cash donations for the Holiday Helpline program also are welcome. In addition, contributions to the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, donations of $10 gift cards from Bow Street Market (identified as limited to food/household supplies) and gift wrap are also ways to help.

Contact Mack at 865-3985, ext. 205, for details about adopting a family, or to donate to the Holiday Helpline program. Donor-supplied items must be delivered on Dec. 9, 10 or 11.

Volunteers also are needed to wrap toys/presents, and sort and distribute gifts and food boxes. Contact Debbie Daggett, at 865-3985, ext. 206.

A CLOSER LOOK

Freeport Community Services will hold its Thanksgiving program again this year. Families have three options, according to a news release:

• If you live in Freeport or Pownal, you can sign up for a Thanksgiving box, which will include a turkey and all the fixings for a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.

• If transportation is a problem, volunteers will deliver a hot dinner to your door.

• Azure Cafe? of Freeport will host the annual Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Freeport Community Center, from noon-2 p.m. Anyone is welcome, from any town. There is no charge, and nothing to bring, but they do ask that you call and reserve a spot.

Sue Mack will accept calls through Nov. 22, at 865-3985, ext. 205.