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Community Corner

6 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

From food banks to Toys for Tots, here's a list of ways to help those in need.

Buy one turkey with a $25 purchase and receive a free turkey at the Albertsons in Pasadena. You can donate the free turkey to food banks—including in town.

Monday is the food bank's turkey distribution. But other food needed includes: pasta, canned or powdered milk, cereal, canned soup, canned tuna, canned vegetables and dried fruit and nuts. To help sort the food or participate in other volunteering efforts, email cluesue@holyfamily.org

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2. Purchase Holiday Cards.

A portion of the proceeds from purchasing holiday cards online or through mail will support Union Station Homeless Services—San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency assisting homeless men, women, and children.

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3. Donate a Popular Thanksgiving Food.

Take part in the center's Thanksgiving Distribution—giving food, funds and/or time—Monday through Wednesday at Ayers Hall at the in Arcadia.

Thanksgiving food items can be dropped off during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the organization’s Pasadena site located at 191 N. Oak Avenue. The items that are most needed include: turkeys, yams, salad dressing, cornbread mix, stuffing, vegetables, pumpkin pie filling and marshmallows. 

4. Provide Toys for Tots at this Golf Tournament.

Provide gifts for children in need this Christmas Toys for Tots Golf Tournament Dec. 11 at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course. The gift drop-off is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the tee off at 10 a.m. The price per player is $15 for 18 holes. For more information, call (562) 677-7452. 

5. Adopt an Angel.

You can provide toys and clothing for kids—from newborns to teenagers—through the Foothill Unity Center. Participants of the program receive a handmade angel that includes a child’s name, age, clothing size and interests. Find more information here.

6. Cook a Meal for the Homeless. 

Grab a group of friends and make a dinner suitable for the five families living at Door of Hope in Pasadena. It's a transitional housing program for homeless families, and they're always in need of volunteers. Find out about more opportunities here. And here. 

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