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MCL is pleased to be a collection point this year for the Bennington County Toys for Tots drive, the annual Cold Weather Clothing Drive for Manchester’s Community Food Cupboard, and a toddler-sized cold weather clothing drive for Northshire Day School‘s Community Closet, organized by their Love Inclusion Family Trust (LIFT) Committee.

Toys for Tots is seeking new, unopened toys for all ages. Donations will be collected for distribution on December 17th and 22nd at the Bennington Moose Lodge.

The Community Food Cupboard will accept any cold-weather clothing or accessory items to keep folks warm. This includes coats, gloves, scarves, boots, thermal underlayers, sweaters, hats, boot cleats, or anything else one might need to thrive through Vermont’s harshest months.

The Northshire Day School’s LIFT Committee’s mission is to be a bridge and to cultivate a meaningful and strong relationship between families and the school. Over the next year, LIFT will be focused on these three priorities:

1. Affordability – Support families in the costs to raise children through providing resources from our newly minted Community Closet. 

Through “pop-up” style events and partnering with the Manchester Community Library, we will host Community Closet openings where families and community members can pick up clothing items that they need, free of charge. We will also have an ongoing drop-off box at the Manchester Library and the Northshire Day School. 

We are currently collecting winter boots and clothing of all sizes (newborn to adult), but are in urgent need of winter clothing for newborn to 5T including coats and footwear. 

2. Everyone Eats – Support NDS’ goal and the broader Northshire community’s efforts to support families in fighting food insecurity. 

Through communications and outreach efforts, we will amplify the work of our community partners and the school to share resources in addition to highlighting “food availability days” so that those in need know when and where to retrieve needed goods. 

3. Creating Safe Spaces – Given the nature of the world today, there are many vulnerable communities who need support. We will be focused on gathering resources and raising awareness for those in need.

If you have the capacity to give, please consider contributing to one or more of these drives to help provide a warm, joyful holiday season for every family in our community.