Two traditional Methow Valley programs are gearing up their volunteer efforts to make the holidays happier for local residents. Here’s information about how to take part, or to help out.
Manger Mall
Parents or guardians from Mazama to Methow who need assistance providing holiday gifts for their children can pre-register and then purchase one new gift and one handmade soft gift (a blanket or pillow) per child.
Preregistration is required and registration forms are distributed at all the local schools or at The Cove in Twisp during normal food bank hours of 1 – 4 p.m. on November 9, Nov. 16 and Nov. 30. The cost is $1 per item per child.
On the day of the mall, volunteers wrap the gifts and provide free books, stockings and stocking stuffers.
Manger Mall collects donations of new, unwrapped gifts, with a suggested value of $20 to $25. The program especially needs gifts for teens, particularly for boys. There has been a surplus of gifts in the past, leftover from previous years, but this year the supply has been depleted. Gifts are needed for all ages. Donations can be dropped off at North Cascades Bank and Mick & Miki’s Red Cedar Bar in Twisp, Winthrop Physical Therapy & Fitness, the Mazama Store and the Carlton Store. Gifts must be dropped off by Dec. 6. Cash donations can be made to The Cove by mail at PO Box 895, Twisp WA 98856, or through The Cove’s website, www.thecovecares.com or at North Cascades Bank. Please specify NHN.
For more information or to register, call Wendy at (206) 999-1898 or email methowvalleymangermall@gmail.com. The registration deadline is Dec. 6.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Holiday Food Baskets
Neighbors Helping Neighbors provides an abundant holiday basket of food to more than 140 families each year. Donations of nonperishable foods are collected at Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp, the Evergreen IGA in Winthrop, the Mazama Store and the Carlton Store.
Residents within the city limits of Winthrop and Twisp can leave food donations on their porch or outside their house to be picked up by Okanogan County Fire District 6 firefighters on Thursday, Dec. 7 (leave the front porch light on). Cash donations can be made to The Cove by mail at PO Box 895, Twisp WA 98856 or through The Cove’s website at www.thecovecares.com or at North Cascades Bank. Please specify NHN.
People can sign up for a holiday food basket from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Cove on Thursday, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 30 or Dec. 7. People who cannot make it to The Cove to register should call Jennifer at 996-4343. Food baskets will be delivered on Saturday, Dec. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
More information on both programs is available by emailing thecovecares@gmail.com.
