LYSB Seeks Holiday Donations for Local Families

LYME/OLD LYME – The Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) is seeking community support for its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and Holiday Giving Program, which help local families facing financial challenges during the holiday season.

The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, conducted in collaboration with the Old Lyme Police Union, will take place at Old Lyme Marketplace on Halls Road near Big Y. Collection dates are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Donations of nonperishable food also may be dropped off at LYSB, 59 Lyme St., Nov. 18-21.

Suggested donations include traditional Thanksgiving foods, canned meats, tuna, beans, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter and nuts. LYSB also welcomes household and personal care supplies, pet food, paper products, diapers and baby wipes.

Food donations will be distributed to local families, used to stock the Old Lyme Social Services food pantries and shared with Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries in Old Lyme.

The Holiday Giving Program assists more than 40 families and more than 100 children in Lyme and Old Lyme each year. Residents can help by adopting a family and purchasing items from a holiday wish list, making a monetary donation or contributing gift cards. Gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations and stores popular with teens are the most requested items.

Gift cards may be dropped off at LYSB, 59 Lyme St., through Dec. 15. Monetary donations can be made at lysb.org/donate or mailed to LYSB, PO Box 589, with “Holiday Giving” noted on the check.

Families seeking holiday assistance or food may contact LYSB at 860-434-7208 or visit lysb.org/holiday-giving-to-get-help.

For information about the Holiday Giving Program, contact Mary Seidner at the LYSB phone number above or mseidner@lysb.org.