Here's an easy way to be generous. The “Bread With Christmas Jam” is Sunday, Dec. 19 at Chandlers Steakhouse, from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are requested, and every last cent will go to The Idaho Foodbank to buy food for those in need.

Chandlers and the musicians listed below are donating their time, treasure and talent to the cause.

The Idaho Humane Society's popular calendar featuring local pets as cover cats, hounds and more (yes, there's even a local turtle!), is available, just in time for the holidays. An extra bargain: the calendar covers not 12, but 13 months.  

An important note, calendar sales support the society's work, helping more than 15,000 animals each year. The society is Idaho's oldest animal welfare organization. 

Firefighters from all over Ada and Canyon Counties are participating in the food drive, which will benefit the Idaho Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable food will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. at any fire station throughout Ada and Canyon Counties. The drive continues through Monday, Jan. 3.

Ben Skinner, a junior at Bishop Kelly High School, was talking to his mom, Patty, around the holidays last year. She teaches at South Junior High in Boise. Skinner asked her whether her students were looking forward to their upcoming break. She told him that for some of them — those with struggling families, those living in shelters — time away from the security of school is more a source of worry than delight.
The discussion stuck in Skinner’s mind.  

A couple readers have emailed me, looking for Christmas volunteer opportunities. If you are a local nonprofit and need help wrapping or delivering gifts, serving meals, etc., on or around Christmas, let me know.

I’ll let Statesman readers know.

Email me at awebb@idahostatesman.com with all the details — times, dates, addresses, the kind of help needed, and a contact number.  

Through the end of the year, this blog will be devoted to an ongoing list of local nonprofit organizations asking for donations (food, toys, clothing, cash, etc.) to help local families in need throughout the
holidays. The list will be updated daily, with organizations listed alphabetically.

If you know of groups in need of donations, email complete information to Anna Webb at awebb@idahostatesman.com. Write "donations" in the subject line.

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Boise Parks & Rec seeks donations for refugee children

Here's the newest addition to our ongoing list..read on for more opportunities to help others this season:  

Through the end of the year, this blog will be devoted to an ongoing list of local nonprofit organizations asking for donations (food, toys, clothing, cash, etc.) to help local families in need throughout the
holidays. The list will be updated daily, with organizations listed alphabetically.

If you know of groups in need of donations, email complete information to Anna Webb at awebb@idahostatesman.com. Write "donations" in the subject line.

Here are the organizations we've heard from so far (in alphabetical order):

Through the end of the year, this blog will be devoted to an ongoing list of local nonprofit organizations asking for donations (food, toys, clothing, cash, etc.) to help local families in need throughout the
holidays. The list will be updated daily, with organizations listed alphabetically.

If you know of groups in need of donations, email complete information to Anna Webb at awebb@idahostatesman.com. Write "donations" in the subject line.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY