Ramapo Catskill Library System
Public libraries of Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
In the coming months the libraries from the Ramapo Catskill Library System that will be participating in The Great Give Back 2024 will be listed here! Check back often for updates; details about programs will begin to be shared around the beginning of September. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
Click here to view past GGB events from Ramapo Catskill Library System
Food Drive for the Alamo
October 1st – 31st
Please join us in supporting our neighbors at the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization – also known as The Alamo. Throughout the month of October, Albert Wisner Public Library will be collecting nonperishable food items – especially the following: rice (bagged short-grain or jasmine), dried or canned black beans, corn tortillas, oil, corn flour, dried chili peppers and new reusable shopping bags. All donations can be dropped off inside the library during operating hours. We are located at One McFarlnd Drive, Warwick, NY, and are open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Coats For Kids
September 23rd – December 1st
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Rockland section is our partner in this initiative. Coats collected at the library will be distributed by the organization to children in need in the Rockland Public Schools. The collection has started and will run thru December 1st.
Open to all, no registration.
Family Toiletries Drive to benefit House on the Hill Head Start/ABCD at Goshen
September 26th – October 26th
This year, Chester Library Patrons will be offered the opportunity to give back to an organization that provides the highest quality early childhood education and social services, House on the Hill Head Start/ABCD of Goshen.
Library patrons are welcome to donate toiletries: Family Items: diapers, wipes, soap, shower gel, child specific toiletry items, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, combs, brushes, etc. This drive will start September 26th and end October 26th.
No registration required.
Blood Drive
August 21st from 11:00AM – 5:30PM
Ages 16+
Blood donation is the act of giving life. One hour spent in donating blood is going to give life to someone in need. Truly the ‘great give back’.
Registration preferred but walk-ins as time permits.
There is no substitute for human blood. Blood donations are truly the ‘great give back’.
Give back to our community!
October 1st – 19th
Cragsmoor Free Library will be collecting non-perishable food, clothing and small household items to benefit Family of Ellenville. The most requested items are toiletries such as; soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotions as well as laundry and dish detergents. Please no trial sizes or hotel toiletries.
Please bring your contributions in bags or boxes into the Library during open hours. Do NOT leave them outside. Donations will be accepted from October 1st through the 19th.
LAST DAY FOR DONATIONS: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19th.
Registration is not required.
For information contact April Marl at 845-647-4611 or april@cragsmoorfreelibrary.info
Ellenville Public Library and Museum
Donations of Dignity
October 1st – 31st
Ellenville Public Library and Museum will once again be collecting Donations of Dignity October 1st-31st as a part of the Great Give Back! Please donate any unopened soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products (such as pads and tampons), combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. These items are greatly needed, but are not covered by foodstamps. Please drop off any such items to the box located near the desk inside of the library during open hours. We greatly appreciate your help!
Registration not required.
Please only donate unused, unopened toiletries.
The Ulster County Food Fight
September 1st – October 19th
As part of the Great Give Back, Ellenville Public Library and Museum will be participating in the Ulster County Food Fight! Patrons will be able to help us win bragging rights for the year by coming in and donating unopened, not expired non-perishable food items. The donated items will be distributed to local food pantries in Ellenville.
As an added bonus, every time a patron donates non-perishable food items in the library, they will receive a raffle ticket to be entered for the chance to win a prize.
We can only accept unopened, unexpired goods.
No registration required.
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
The Great Give Back Youth Clothing Swap
October 19th from 11:00AM – 2:30PM
RDN Community Room
Ages: 0-18/families
Donate clean baby- to teen-sized clothes, shoes, or costumes between Sept. 9th and Oct. 11th. Please no toys or clothes meant for older adults.
Come “shop” for new-to-you clothes on Oct. 19th from 11am-2:30pm. Please bring your own bag(s) to fill up. You do not need to donate anything to be able to participate. For more information, please call (845) 794-4660 ext. 5.
Registration is not required. Participation is open to anyone.
FOL presents The Youth Clothing Swap
October 19th at 11:00-2:00
We’re having a clothing swap and you don’t have to donate to shop. Come and feel free to get a bag full of much needed clothes for your youth. Baby to teen sized clothes.
No registration required.
Closet Refresh
October 13th at 2:00-4:00 PM
Program Location
Finkelstein Library is pleased to announce our Closet Refresh clothing swap. We will be accepting clothing donations in the library lobby through October 6 in order to make the event a success! We are looking for clothing for all youth ages (infants/toddlers, children, teens, and some adult clothing), including: Tops Pants Pajamas Coats Shoes Halloween costumes Items MUST be clean, unstained, unripped, and odorless.
No registration is required ; attendees are not required to donate in order to take items from the Closet Refresh.
Goshen Public Library & Historical Society
Pajama and Book Drive
October 19th – November 19th
Goshen Public Library is working with The Pajama Program for the Great Give Back and asking the public for new pajama and storybooks for kids in need. The Pajama Program is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive. Donations will be provided to children in foster care, homeless and domestic violence shelters. group homes and other organizations. We are asking for full pajama sets (top and bottom) and storybooks for children ages 0-12.
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
Food Drive
October 1st – 20th
Join us in helping our community with a Food Drive to benefit People-to-People. Please bring unopened, unexpired non-perishable food items to the library from October 1 to October 20. Please no glass items.
No registration required. Participation is open to everyone.
6th Annual Great Give Back 2024
October 1st – 31st
We are collecting donations of dog and cat supplies for HVSPCA (Animal Shelter in New Windsor) & Animal Saints Rescue Society (Dog Rescue in Fort Montgomery).
Wish List of Supplies Needed: towels, blankets, dog beds, cat & dog toys, grooming tools (brushes, scissors, combs), Purina One Dry Dog Food, Purina One Canned Dog Food, Purina Puppy Chow, Purina Cat Food, Canned Cat Food Friskies Prime Filet, Fancy Feast,
Royal Canin feline nutrition Mother & baby cat dry & wet food, Bleach & Laundry detergent,
Garbage Bags all sizes from standard kitchen (13 gallon) and up, Paper Towels, dog treats,
Sponges, Mops & Buckets, & Plastic Storage Bins. Monetary donations always accepted (Make check out to your choice of HVSPCA or to ANIMAL SAINTS RESCUE SOCIETY—-mail to library or drop off at the circulation desk during library hours.
Anyone can participate in bringing donations.
All donations to be dropped off inside of Highland Falls Library during operating hours. We are located at 298 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928. We are open M, W, Th & F: 10am-5pm & T: 10am-7pm & Sa: 10am-2pm.
Josephine-Louise Public Library
Diaper Bank and Domestic Abuse Collection
October 1st – 25th
We will be collecting specific items: diapers and pull-ups in larger sizes (3,4, &5), new and gently used towels and pillowcases, and NEW pillows. We will also be collecting peanut and nut-free Halloween candy. Diapers and pull-ups will be divided between a local Diaper Bank and a local domestic abuse shelter. All other items will go directly to the domestic abuse shelter.
This program requires no registration and we welcome all to participate. There will be a collection box/area near our Adult Fiction Collection, which is in the Main Entrance of our library. Items can be dropped off during library hours. If you are unable to get here during our business hours feel free to give us a call and we can work something out.
Please keep note that the pillows we collect are required by state law to be NEW and not used. Pillows travel with the person who receives them and are never reused.
Ride 2 Survive Read-a-Thon
November 1st – 30th
Participants ages 4-17 will participate in a Read-a-Thon for the month of October. All proceeds will help fund Ride 2 Survive. Ride 2 Survive is an all volunteer organization that donates 100% of profits to local residents battling any type of cancer to help with travel to treatment expenses. Readers can be sponsored per page read or sponsors can name a maximum amount that they are willing to contribute. Participants are responsible for collecting funds. Checks are to be made out to Ride 2 Survive. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Registration is required. LivingstonManorLibrary@rcls.org to register
Newburgh Free Library
Toiletries, Self-Care Items, and Bath Towel Drive
September 19th – October 19th
The Newburgh Free Library will kick-start what will be an on-going collection of toiletries, self-care items, and bath towels for two local organizations who serve our unhoused population with a month-long drive for the following items (everything must be brand new, with the exception of towels) –
FULL SIZE: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash/Soap, Deodorant, Lotion, Toothpaste, Mouth Wash
TRAVEL SIZE: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash/Soap, Deodorant, Lotion, Toothpaste, Mouth Wash
BATH TOWELS: New or Gently-Used/No Stains or Tears
Tooth Brushes
Dental Floss
Combs/Brushes
Razors
Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads/Tampons)
Antibacterial Body Wipes
The Drive will culminate Saturday, October 19th with a Community Work Party to prepare hygiene kits and to write messages of hope to include with them.
Everyone is welcome to participate. No registration required.
Thank You!
Nyack Library
The Great Give Back
October 19th from 10:00AM – 5:00PM
The mission of The Great Give Back is to provide a day of opportunities for the patrons of the Public Libraries of New York State to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences. This year, we will collect only new warm coats, hats, gloves, socks, and boxed/canned foods for adults, families, and especially children. Please note that the Nyack Homeless Project cannot accept used items.
No registration required
Food Drive 2024
October 7th-19th
Food drive to fill the South Orangetown School District’s food pantry.
Pearl River Library Food Pantry
September 9th – October 19th
The Pearl River Library will be collecting non-perishable items for People-to People. Stop by the library or visit our booth at Pearl River Day of October 19th. Each donation earns you a raffle ticket for a grand prize!
All Ages, no registration required.
The Great Giveback
October 8th – 31st
Piermont’s teen advisory group, called YAK, has decided to do a project for the Great Give Back. We will be collecting items for our local Pet Shelter (Four Legs Good) from October 8th-31st. A decorated box will be at the circulation desk in the front of the library.
The Great Give Back Food Drive
October 8th – 18th
Suffern Free Library will be collecting food donations for local food pantries as part of The Great Give Back 2024. Donations of unexpired, non-perishable food can be placed in the box in our main lobby from October 8 through 18. If you would prefer to donate gift cards to a local grocery store, you can turn them in at our Checkout Desk. Thank you for giving back to our community!
Registration and/or library membership is not required to participate.
Toy Drive for Toys For Tots
October 8th – November 30th
Noon – 3:00 PM
As part of the Great Give Back 2024, Sunshine Hall Free Library will host a toy drive for the Marine Core Reserve Toys for Tots program. New unwrapped toys maybe be dropped off inside the library to be distributed by the Marine Core Reserve. Visit toysfortots.org and sunshinehallfreelibrary.org for details.
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Veterans Appreciation Get together!
November 6th at 1:00-4:00 PM
Located at American Legion Pots #1308 4 Martin St, Pine Bush, NY 12566
A leisurely gathering for Veterans to meet and greet several local VA organizations who will answer questions and direct Veterans to the proper departments for assistance. Ice cream sundaes will be served at the end of the gathering, courtesy of the Pine Bush Library!
Any and all veterans in the Pine Bush and surrounding areas are welcome! No registration needed.
5th Annual Promenade Placement Project
October 19th – November 22nd from 10:00am-5:30pm
Grab and Go
All ages
This will be the fifth year our community will come together to color and decorate placemats for Thanksgiving dinner at the Promenade Senior Center. Placemats can be taken home to color or be completed in the library. We will then laminate them and distribute to the Promenade. Please return your finished product to the library by Friday, November 22nd.
No registration necessary
Food Collection for the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage
September 30th – October 14th
Help the Food Cupboard create Thanksgiving food baskets for families by donating holiday food items like boxed stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, canned yams/sweet potatoes, and canned vegetables. Other donations needed include: cereal, oatmeal, pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, dry beans, rice, canned meats, canned fruit, and cooking oil. Donations of non-perishable, non-expired items can be placed in the collection box by the Circulation Desk.
No registration required.
Children’s Clothing Swap
October 13th at 12:00-4:00
Do you have drawers of baby clothes, but your baby is now in Kindergarten? Did your child have a growth spurt over the summer and now nothing fits? Come find something new-to-you at our Children’s Clothing Swap!
How it works:
Drop off your unwanted children’s clothing, in all sizes, from October 7-11. We’ll be collecting children’s clothes, shoes, coats, winter wear and Halloween costumes. Clothing must be in good condition, clean, no odors, rips, holes or stains. Items will be sorted by size and category. Return on Sunday, October 13, 12pm-4pm, to “shop” for free for what your family needs. We’ll have fun activities to entertain children while you shop. You do not need to donate something to take something.
No registration required.
Battery Recycling Collection
October 1st-31st
We’re collecting household batteries for recycling! Drop off your used, single-use AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, and 9-Volt batteries at our Circulation Desk. NO rechargeable or Lithium-ion batteries. For safe transport and storage, please tape the ends of 9-Volt batteries with clear tape.
No registration required.
Intro to Home Composting
October 19th at 5:00-6:30
Join us for an “Intro to Home Composting” workshop by UCRRA (Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency)!
Home composting is a great way to manage food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, stale bread, and other scraps or spoiled foods so they don’t go to waste!
This free workshop is designed for new/beginner composters looking to get started. The class will introduce the environmental and horticultural benefits of composting and the basic principles of how to do it correctly. Then, participants will learn about the various compost bin options and the pros and cons of each composting system.
**Registration is required: https://wallkill.librarycalendar.com/event/intro-home-composting-4725
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1st – October 19th
All ages
Join us in supporting the Ulster County Food Fight by donating unopened, unexpired, non-perishable food items to the Wallkill Public Library between September 1st and October 19th. Your contributions will help our community while also giving us a chance to win the county-wide competition among local libraries. Every donation counts—let’s come together to make a difference!
WeRecycle Battery Box
September 1, 2024 – September 1, 2025
Bring your used batteries to the Wallkill Public Library, and drop them in the WeRecycle Battery Box. We’re doing our part to help you do your part to recycle.
No Registration Required
CLYNK Recycling Program
September 15th – October 31st
The Wallkill Public Library is committed to recycling. Join us in depositing your recyclable 5 cent deposit cans and bottles to CLYNK. And if you feel like it, library supporters with personal CLYNK accounts can choose donate your balance to the Wallkill Public Library when you sign-in to your account. It’s super simple. We’ll be sure to give back to the community in return.
Registration not required.
The Great Give Back- Warming Hearts of Rockland
October 1st – 31st
The West Nyack Library will be collecting thoughtful items for cancer patients through the Warming Hearts of Rockland. The wish list and collection bins will be located at our Circulation desk during the month of October.
No registration is required. All are welcome to help us in this community project.
Please visit our website or Circulation desk in October for more information.
Western Sullivan Public Library
The Great Give Back: Winter Essentials
October 19th – November 23rd
The Great Give Back is back! Every year, libraries across New York State offer a time for library patrons to give back to their communities. This year, Western Sullivan Public Library will be collecting “Winter Essentials” to redistribute into our community here in Sullivan County. From October 19 – November 2, we will collect items from our community members in boxes throughout our three branches. Then, from November 4 – 23, each branch will host a discreet “Give Back Box” where anyone can pick up any winter essentials they may need, no questions asked.
Please consider donating any or all of the following items:
– Hats
– Scarves
– Gloves
– Socks
– Earmuffs
– Balaclavas
– Baby blankets & throws
– Small toiletries such as: hand lotion, Vaseline, and lip balm (unopened)
– Hand warmers
All items of clothing must be NEW, handmade, or lightly used & laundered. All toiletry items must be NEW and UNOPENED.
PLEASE NOTE! We will NOT be collecting the following items: Food, medicine, coats, jackets, undergarments, boots or shoes, sweaters, bedding (throw-style blankets only), pillows or pillowcases.
There will be a bin for your donations and a suggested list of items at each branch. Please bring your contributions to any of our Callicoon, Jeffersonville, or Narrowsburg locations, from October 19th – November 2nd.
To learn more about The Great Give Back, contact WSPL’s Youth Programmer at WSPL.childrens@gmail.com.
Registration not required.