Christmas for the Needy expands locations

    YATES COUNTY—Yates County Christmas for the Needy is expanding by adding a new location this year.
    The program provides toys, clothes, food, and supplies to needy families in December.  During the 2011 holiday season Christmas for the Needy served 2,038 Yates County individuals.  This included 621 families and 1031 children.  The distribution this year will be at three different sites:
    • The Armory will be the location for new clothes, toys, books, games, etc.
    • The Penn Yan Baptist church will be the location for all food.
    • The Presbyterian Church will be the new location for all used items.
    Distribution will be spread out to two days, Wednesday, Dec. 12, and Thursday, Dec. 13.  Applications for those needing assistance are available at the Yates County Office for the Aging and at the Dundee Area Youth Center and must be returned to either location by Dec. 1.  People unable to pick-up an application can call the Office for the Aging at 315-536-5515.  Applications are also available on line at http://cftnpyny.tripod.com.
    Christmas for the Needy is also seeking volunteers:  bell ringers, people with trucks who can lift, food basket packers, clothing and toy sorters, shopping assistants and take down/clean up helpers.  To get details on any of these volunteer jobs, call Joyce Veil at 315-536-6788.
    Individuals or groups can leave donations of clothes, toys or crafted items such as quilts or afghans at Milly’s Pantry, 19 Main St., Penn Yan.  There were 700 books left over from the 1,600 purchased last year.  There were also large gloves left over of the 509 hats and mittens given to girls and the 508 to boys.   The group will accept monetary donations at P.O. Box 145, Penn Yan or at the Five Star Bank in Dundee.