Ramapo Catskill Library System Archived Events
Public libraries of Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
Below are libraries in the Ramapo Catskill Library System that participated in past instances of The Great Give Back! Return to the previous page for information about what libraries will be participating in this year’s GGB. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
2023
The Great Give Back Food Drive
October 1st-31st
All ages
The Great Give Back Food Drive takes place throughout October. Please bring donations of nonperishable food items to the library all month long, or stop by the Warwick Children’s Book Festival on October 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! We’ll have authors and illustrators selling and signing books, food trucks, music, crafts, the Great Give Back Food Drive and more! The Great Give Back Food Drive benefits the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry, a community-supported initiative that helps alleviate food insecurity for hungry residents in the Town of Warwick.
No registration required
Storm Support Community Collection
July 10th-August 1st
All ages
In the spirit of the GREAT GIVE BACK, the Cornwall Public Library was collecting items for the people of Highland Falls. Our sister library in Highland Falls was the distribution point for their community. Donations of water and personal items for infants to Seniors for those who lost personal property during this unprecedented storm.
Program closed
Be a Summer Lifesaver
August 8th from 11:00am-5:00pm
18 years and older
We started our Great Give Back challenge early this year with a Community Blood Drive There. Our Cornwall Public Library blood donors were real lifesavers!
Program closed
The Great Give Back Food Drive
October 1st-21st from 10:00am-4:00pm
All ages
The Great Give Back! Please donate foods items and Household goods to be donated to Family of Ellenville. You may bring your items during normal Library business hours.
No registration required
Ellenville Public Library and Museum
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1st – October 21st
All ages
September 1st-October 21st, 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 non-perishable food items which will be distributed to local food pantries in Ellenville. Every time a patron donates non-perishable food items in the library, they will receive a raffle ticket. These raffle tickets may be placed into a drawing for one of three fabulous prizes. The drawing for this raffle will be on Monday, October 23rd.
No registration required
Donations of Dignity
October 1st-31st
All ages
Ellenville Public Library and Museum will once again be collecting Donations of Dignity October 1st-31st as part of the Great Give Back! Please donate any unopened soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, diapers, wipes, 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!
No registration required
Blood Drive with the American Red Cross
October 13th from 11:30am-4:30pm
Adults 18+
We want your blood! Friday, October 13th at the Ellenville Public Library. Our wonderful donors will receive a sweet treat for their help!
Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive to sign up for a time to give blood. You must be 18 years or older to give blood. For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
Community Clothing Swap
October 14th from 11:00am-2:00pm
All ages
Kid’s grow fast & buying them new clothes for every growth spurt can be expensive! To help out, the library is participating in The Great Give Back by hosting our 3rd Community Clothing Swap. We invite you to bring children’s clothes of all sizes to the library beginning September 20th. We’ll collect clean clothing (including shoes & costumes) in good condition through October 11th. Bring any donations to the children’s room at the library. We will organize clothing by size & all are invited to come “shop” beginning at 11am on October 14th. Please bring a re-usable bag(s) to fill with new-to-you kids’ clothes to help us keep this event as sustainable as possible. You do not need to donate clothes to pick up new clothes.
No registration required
Donations for Birthday Boxes (a Meals on Wheels of Rockland initiative)
October 7th – November 7th
All ages
Meals on Wheels of Rockland County makes every effort to bring joy to the seniors they serve. Part of this is delivering Birthday Boxes to those who have reached their late 90s+.
We are collecting the following items: Small bottles of hand lotion & hand sanitizer, Cozy socks (new), Lip balm, Small packs of crayons/colored pencils, Individually wrapped, sugar-free, shelf-stable treats (NO candy), Homemade birthday cards, Birthday crowns/sashes, Birthday signs/banners, Birthday napkins, Noise makers.
No registration required
Food Drive for Florida Food Pantry
October 1st-31st
All ages
The library will accept donations of specific in-need items for the Florida Food Pantry. Please go to www.floridapubliclibrary.org or call 845-651-7659 for a list of the items that are needed.
No registration required
Goshen Public Library & Historical Society
Volunteer Fair
October 28th from 12:00-4:00pm
All ages
Looking for that perfect volunteer opportunity?
Connect with non-profit and community organizations and find a way to make an impact that fits your skills and talents.
No registration required
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
The Great Give Back Food Drive & Fall Fest
October 1st-31st
All ages
The Great Give Back Food Drive for People to People will be all month long, please donate!
Fall Fest will be on Saturday, October 21, 10:00 – 3:00 at both library buildings. We’ll have Vendors, Food Trucks, Games, the Great Give Back, and more!!
No registration required
Collection for Hudson Valley SPCA
October 1st-31st from 10:00am-7:00pm
All ages
We are collecting donations of Purina dog and cat food and other needed items for the Hudson Valley SPCA dogs and cats.
No registration required
Repair Cafe
October 21st from 1:00-3:00pm
Catskill Fly Fishing Center, 1031 Old Rte. 17, Livingston Manor, NY
All ages
Repair Café Livingston Manor is an initiative that promotes repair as an alternative to tossing things out. Community members can bring their broken items to fix them on the spot with the help of volunteer repairers. Repair volunteers specialize in electrical appliances, small furniture pieces and other wood items, toys, clocks, clothing and other fabric items. Please bring any parts you know are needed for your broken item. Some parts will be available on site. For more details about Repair Cafes, visit https://sustainhv.org/repair-cafe/.
No registration required
Moffat Library of Washingtonville
The Great Give Back to The Blooming Grove Humane Society
October 1st-31st
All ages
Throughout the month of October, we will be collecting donations for the Humane Society of Blooming Grove. If you would like, please donate the following supplies: wet/dry dog food (preferably Purina One Chicken & Rice dry), wet/dry cat food (preferably Friskies or Fancy Feast wet and Friskies dry), or towels and blankets. Donations can be dropped off at the library.
No registration required
Warm Up Drive
October 1st-21st
All ages
The Library will collect hats, scarves, gloves, and socks to be donated to local residents in need.
No registration required
Children’s Halloween Costume Swap
September 19th – October 31st
For baby, toddler, and chidren’s sized costumes
Leave and/or Take clean, gently used Children’s Halloween costumes in good, wearable condition. Have some dress-up fun, share with neighbors, and help the environment by reducing waste, and reusing those awesome costumes in any Baby, Toddler or Children’s sizes. The library does not assume responsibility for laundering. Please wash anything you leave or take.
No registration required
Warm Up With Us
November 4th from 1:00-3:00pm
All ages
The Newburgh Free Library and Team Newburgh will partner up once again to bring coats, hats, scarves, mittens, and socks to our community. We will be collecting items from October 2 – November 3. On Saturday, November 4 from 1 pm – 3 pm, we will be distributing items to community members who will be able to shop around and select what they need. A DJ and light refreshments will be available.
Event open to Newburgh Enlarged City School District Residents. No registration required.
Great Give Back
October 21st from 10:00am-4:00pm
All ages
Join us for the Great Give Back held annually on October 21st. 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.
Help us provide the following to Helping Hands for the Homeless of Rockland:
Socks & Shoes
Underwear
Blankets
General Hygiene Products
Feminine Hygiene Items
Diapers, Wipes, and New Kids’ Clothes
School Supplies
Bring these goods to the Nyack Library’s bridge entrance 10am-4pm.
No registration required
Food Drive for School District Pantry – SOCSD
October 9th-21st
All ages
Stock the Shelves for our local school district pantry!
No registration required
Pearl River Public Library Food Pantry Drive
October 20th – November 20th from 12:00-2:00pm
All ages
The library will accept donations of specific in-need items for the St Aeadan and St Stephen Food Pantries located in Pearl River. Please go to https://pearlriverlibrary.org/ or call 845-735-4084 x115 for a list of the items that are needed. No registration required
No registation required
Town of Newburgh Animal & Control & Shelter
October 1st-23rd
All ages
Town of Newburgh Animal Control & Shelter Assistance
Contributions – gift cards, pet supplies
Great Giveback Day
October 21st from 10:00am-2:00pm
Collecting items for Good Shepherd Food Pantry, Roscoe NY
All ages
Anyone is welcome to donate. Prefer non perishable items, canned goods, paper products. Refreshments will be served.
No registration required
Items for Roscoe Nursing Home for men and women without family or few visitors
Health and beauty items for men and women that have no family or few visitors, crossword puzzles w/large pieces, tissues for the Roscoe Nursing Home. Items will be packaged for men or women.
Pets Alive
October 1st-31st
All ages
We are collecting donations for Pets Alive – a no-kill animal shelter in Middletown, NY. We are committed to finding permanent loving homes for animals. At any given time, the Pets Alive team is caring for roughly 250 homeless cats, dogs, and farm animals. Please donate food, toys or other pet supplies to the box in the Library through October.
No registration required
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Bingo for Special Needs Individuals
12:30-1:30pm
All ages
Bingo!! Special Needs individuals play Bingo for prizes. All special needs groups and individuals with mentors are invited to come.
Registration is at the Library Community Room when you attend.
Fall Food Drive
October 9th-27th
All ages
This October, Suffern Free Library will hold a Fall Food Drive to benefit local food pantries. Non-perishable, unexpired food donations can be placed in a receptacle inside the library’s main lobby from October 9th through October 27th. We thank everyone for working together to help those in need in our community.
No registration required
4th Annual Promenade Placement Project
October 21st – November 18th from 10:00am-5:30pm
Grab and Go
All ages
This will be the fourth 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.
No registration required
Food Collection for the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage
October 1st-16th
All ages
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 in plastic bottles. 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 7th from 11:00am-3:00pm
Family program
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 2-6. 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 Saturday, October 7, 11am-3pm, 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
Give a Kid a Book
October 1st – November 1st
Children’s program
The Children’s Room will collect new, unused children’s books between October 1 and November 1. Books will be given as gifts to children through local charities during the holidays.
No registration required
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1st – October 21st
All ages
The Ulster County Food Fight is a food collection contest amongst the Ulster County libraries. Please drop off non-perishable food items between September 1 and October 21, 2023 at the Wallkill Public Library located at 7 Bona Ventura Ave, Wallkill NY 12589. All items donated will be given to the Loaves and Fishes Pantry in Wallkill.
No registration required
We Recycle Battery Box Used Battery Collection
September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024
All ages
We have a We Recycle Battery Box collection open and ready to accept used batteries to be recycled. Located in our entryway, you will find the Big Green Box, along with plastic baggies. Please use a plastic baggie to place your batteries in before placing them in the battery recycle box. This program will run until the box is full or August 31, 2024.
No registration required
For the Love of Pets
October 1st-31st
All ages
West Nyack Library is collecting creature comforts for the animals at High Tor Animal Shelter. Please check our website for a wish list of items to bring to our library in October. Our donation bins will be at the Circulation desk during the month of October. The animals waiting for their forever home will be comforted by these thoughtful gifts.
No registration required
Western Sullivan Public Library
Comfort Cases
October 21st – November 4th from 10:00am-2:00pm
All three branches in Callicoon, Jeffersonville and Narrowsburg
All ages
Western Sullivan Public Library is excited to be working with The Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth to create “Comfort Cases”. Each comfort case that we put together will be given to children entering or in the foster care system. Comfort Cases are bags that contain essential items, with space for children to add personal possessions that help them find comfort and take with them as they traverse the system. Please consider donating any or all of the following items: Small duffel bag or backpack, pajamas (no nightgowns), blankets, diaper wipes, diaper cream, baby bibs, baby washcloths, toothbrush, shampoo (variety of hair types), conditioner, soap or body wash, deodorant (travel size), lotion (travel size), feminine products, coloring books & crayons, journals, pens & pencils.
There will be a bin for your donations along with a suggested list of items at each of our branches. Please bring your contributions to any of our Callicoon, Jeffersonville, or Narrowsburg locations, from October 21st – November 4th.
No registration required
2022
Diaper Collection Drive to benefit Baby Steps Baby Pantry
October 10-21
Cornwall Public Library will be hosting a diaper collection drive to benefit Baby Steps Baby Pantry in Newburgh, NY. Please drop off new and unopened packages of diapers, wipes and diaper cream from October 10th through October 21.
Plastic Film Recycling Challenge
July 1 – December 31
Join the Cornwall Public Library in playing an active roll to reduce plastics in landfills and oceans. Simply bring your plastic film to the library and place it in our collection bin. Once we reach our goal of at least 500lbs, NexTrex® will turn our plastic film into a useful bench for our library grounds.
All plastic must be CLEAN, DRY and FREE of FOOD RESIDUE!
Ellenville Public Library and Museum
Donations of Dignity
October 1-31
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!
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
Community Children’s Clothing Swap
October 1 (collection begins September 1)
11:00 am-1:00 pm
For adults & families
Gently used clothes for children will be available for parents to take. Kids grow so fast and we want to help ease the burden of constantly buying new clothes and shoes and help prevent these items from ending up in a landfill.
No registration is required. Clothing donations (for children & teen clothes) can be left with the children’s librarian or children’s room staff beginning 9/1/2022.
Catskill Animal Rescue Donation Drive
October 1-31
Fallsburg Library will be collecting donations for Catskill Animal Rescue! We will be accepting things such as dog/cat food, blankets, towels, toys, and treats. Help us help the animals in Sullivan County!
The Great Give Back
October 15 – November 9
Finkelstein Memorial Library will be collecting travel sized personal hygiene items to benefit a local food pantry, People to People in Nanuet, NY. All items may be dropped off to our collection bin in the library’s Children’s Room on the first floor.
Great Give Back For The Florida Food Pantry
October 1-31
The Florida Public Library will collect food and other necessities to supplement what the Florida Community Food Pantry is unable to provide through the food recovery program from local merchants. For the entire month of October, the library will be asking our patrons
to contribute specific requested items as well as grocery gift card or a monetary gift.
Requested items:
Chunky Peanut Butter
Spaghetti Sauce
Boxed Almond Milk
Oatmeal
Cereal
Sanitary Napkins
Brownie Mix
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
The Great Give Back at Goshen Public Library & Historical Society
October 1-31
This year, we are partnering with Fearless! to collect hair and hygiene items for the community.
Fearless! provides free and confidential services for all victims and survivors of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking.
Registration is not required, and this Give Back is open to ALL. Thank you.
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
Fall Fest & The Great Give Back
October 15 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm
All ages, families welcome!
Join us for a full day of fun! Take a walk through our vendors, check out the food trucks, play some games, listen to live music, and MORE!! Fun for the whole family! Donate to The Great Give Back! We will be collecting canned foods for People-to-People & the North Rockland Food Bank & items for Hi-Tor animal shelter! Visit bit.ly/ggb22 for a full list.
No registration required.
The Hudson Valley SPCA
October 1-31
Join us in our 4th year of participating in THE GREAT GIVE BACK. We will be collecting donations for The Hudson Valley SPCA Oct 1-31 during library hours M-Th 10-5, Wed 10-7, Sat 10-2.
Josephine-Louise Public Library
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Gift Drive
September 6 – October 31
The Holiday Wish List/Gifts for Pediatric Patients program at Maria Fareri Hospital is in Westchester, NY. “The Creative Arts Therapy department bridges the gap between home and the hospital by providing developmental and age-appropriate activities designed to help hospitalized children understand and adapt to the hospital experience.”
This department helps to bring a some normalcy to children and their families while a child is in the hospital. Gifts are made available so that holiday traditions or family celebrations can still be had.
Paper flyers and information will be available in the library and on our Facebook page.
Through Contactless Delivery, patrons can donate by purchasing toys, art supplies, t-shirts, or pajamas through a link on the hospital’s website: https://www.mariafarerichildrens.org/child-life-and-creative-arts-therapy
There are no restrictions as to who can donate, or where they are. There is no registration required. Since it is all online, this is a nice way to participate in helping support the hospital and the children who need to be there.
We would love to hear if you donated so we can add you to our list of thank yous! For more information, please call (845)778-7621
Support Washbourne House
October 1
For all ages
With the help of the community we would like to support those in difficult situations that involve domestic abuse. This year we have chosen Washbourne House, whose primary function is to provide safe shelter and comprehensive trauma informed services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
We will be collecting everyday items used by the residents and former residents, as well as things we can use to help residents move into their own homes.
A list of items will be available in our library, and will be posted on our Facebook page.
Donations can be dropped off during our business hours:
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
If you would like to donate items but are unable to drop them off during our business hours; we will try to arrange an alternate drop off plan. Call us at (845)778-7621
Donations for Rockland Warming Centers
October 8-22
Rockland County Social Services will open their warming shelters on Nov. 1. Lend a helping hand to those in need by donating shampoo, razors, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products. Travel-sized items work best!
Newburgh Love and Warmth
October 15 – November 18
Newburgh Free Library will be collecting brand-new items of socks, scarves, gloves, and hats. Items collected will be distributed to families of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Along with the collection families who donate will have the opportunity to participate and write on a giant card of gratitude for community members to share messages of hope with the community. Our goal is to highlight people’s power by motivating others to share quotes or positive affirmations that have helped them through difficult times.
Nyack Great Give Back
October 17-31
Rockland County Social Services will open their warming shelters on Nov. 1st.Lend a helping hand to those in need by donating shampoo, razors, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products. Travel-sized items work best!
Bring items to the vestibule at the Bridge Entrance of the
Library between October 17th and October 31st.
Give Back to your Local Pantries!
October 3-15
Food pantry collection – help us give back by donating food items to your local food pantries.
Community Collection
October 1-31
Community Collection for Hi-Tor Animal Shelter
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Trex Recycling Program
Trex® is sponsoring a local plastic recycling program throughout the country. The Pine Bush Library has joined this program and we are actively working towards the 500 pounds of plastic required for Trex to donate a new bench to us. We have 6 months to reach that goal.
We have contacted local businesses, the USPS and others, including our own patrons, to bring the plastic to the Library. We then weigh the plastic, enter the poundage on the Trex website, then bring the plastic to Hannaford for pick up.
There are certain criteria for which kind of plastic can be donated and we have handed out flyers with all the information necessary to bring the correct products to the Library. We hope to reach our goal within the 6 months!
Pollinator Garden
The Pine Bush Library will be providing the Pine Bush High School with a Pollinator Garden. The students and a teacher interested in the Pollinator Gardens will care for the garden upon completion. The Library Garden will be tended by one of our staff members Our local Garden Club Members will also help to make these gardens thrive. Registration to participate in this program is not necessary. If someone would like to volunteer to assist with the gardens, please call the Pine Bush Library. We will be starting our Autumn Pollinator Gardens within the month of September.
Ramapo Catskill Library System
It’s a Diaper Drive!
October 15-29
From October 15 – 29, Suffern Free Library will be accepting new, unopened packages of diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes in a receptacle in the upstairs lobby. All donations received will be distributed through local organizations.
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Food Collection for the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage
October 1-17
Help the Food Cupboard create Thanksgiving food baskets for families by donating holiday food items like boxed stuffing mix, boxed 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 in plastic bottles.
Donations of non-perishable, non-expired items can be placed in the collection box by the Circulation Desk.
Children’s Clothing Swap
October 15
11:00 am-3:00 pm
For families
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 10-14. 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 Saturday, October 15, 11am-3pm, 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!
The Big Green Box Used Battery Collection
September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023
We have The Big Green Box open and ready to accept used batteries to be recycled. Located in our entryway, you will find the Big Green Box, along with plastic baggies. Please use a plastic baggie to place your batteries in before placing them in the Big Green Box. This program will run until the box is full or August 31, 2023.
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1 – October 15
The Ulster County Food Fight is a food collection contest amongst the Ulster County libraries. Please drop off non-perishable food items between September 1 and October 15, 2022 at the Wallkill Public Library located at 7 Bona Ventura Ave, Wallkill NY 12589. All items donated will be given to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Wallkill.
Recycle Right
October 12
6:00-7:30 pm
Recycle Right! Why can’t ALL plastics be recycled? What does the chasing arrows symbol really mean? Are pizza boxes in or out? Should you recycle that coffee cup? What about a broken drinking glass? Putting unaccepted items in the recycling bin can damage equipment, harm workers, create inefficiencies in the recycling process, and reduce the value of the collected recyclables. This class will de-mystify recycling so you can be a better recycler! In this class, you will learn: How does recycling ‘work’ in Ulster County? What makes something ‘recyclable’? Why are certain items not acceptable for recyclable? What is ‘wishcycling’ and how does contamination affect recycling? And other info about UCRRA and our programs and services! Registration is required. Link to register: https://wallkillpubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=3045&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2022/10/01 You may join the presentation at the library or join by Zoom.
Collection for The Center for Safety & Change
October 1-31
We will be collecting much-needed toiletry items for the Center for Safety & Change. We will be providing a “wish list” of items that are most needed.
Western Sullivan Public Library
Comfort Cases for Children in Foster Care
October 1 – November 19
At all three branches of WSPL
In partnership with Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth, we are asking for donations to create “Comfort Cases” to give to children in or entering the foster care system. Donations are accepted at all three branches of the Western Sullivan Public Library. Please visit our website or contact us for donation details.
The Great Give Back – Fearless! Hudson Valley
October 15-31
At the Ida Cornell Branch, 23 Smith Clove Rd, Central Valley, NY 10917
Help Woodbury Public Library give back to the community! For two weeks we will collect items for Welcome Baskets for new shelter residents and deliver them to Fearless! Hudson Valley, a shelter in Newburgh. Items needed include: a laundry basket, twin size sheet set, blanket or comforter, pillow, and bath and hand towel and wash cloth. Welcome Baskets will provide items needed by new residents that they can take when transitioning out of shelter. Thank you for helping us help our community during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
2021
TerraCycle Program
October 16 2021- April 22, 2022
The Albert Wisner Public Library will participate in the TerraCycle program. This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turn them into new products. Drop off clean & empty: toothbrushes, tooth paste tubes, plastic razors, make-up dispensers and more to the collection bins on the basement floor of the library throughout the program dates.
The Great Give Back – Pantry Drive
October 16-30
Cornwall Public Library is collecting donations for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. The Food Bank needs more than just food, so we are collecting paper and personal hygiene products in addition to non-perishable food items. We’re also going to try to fill a 5-gallon water jug with coin donations, which will additionally be donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
Broadway Litter Pluck
Wednesday, October 13
2:00-4:00 pm
The Friends of the Library and other community members are planning a litter pluck on Broadway for October 13th from 2-4 (weather permitting). We will have bags and gloves for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you! We’ll meet outside the library around 2pm that day.
Great Giveback School Supply Drive
October 16 – November 1
This year, Finkelstein Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board has decided to collect school supplies that will once again benefit our ESL students and their families. The teens will be decorating a donation bin and helping to promote the program through social media. The donation bin will be placed in the Children’s room from October 16 through November 1. Patrons will be encouraged to drop off new school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, water bottles, lunchboxes, backpacks, or other school supplies.
Specific Dietary Needs Food Drive for Florida Food Pantry
September 1 – October 16
The FPL “Great Give Back” event provides opportunities for patrons to benefit the Florida Community Food Pantry’s specific dietary needs during September and October. See the list below for items to choose from. You can either drop your donations off at the library or bring them during a program. Thank you for supporting your community!
Box Milk
– Lactose-free is the greatest need
Non-perishable Vegetarian (canned, cartons, bagged)
– Meals (i.e. Quinoa)
– Soups
– Broth
Non-perishable sugar-free
– Snacks
– Baking items
Non-perishable Gluten-free
– Baking items
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1-18
The Ulster County Food Fight, as part of the Great Give Back, is an annual food collection contest held in cooperation with twelve libraries throughout Ulster County. The common goal is to “spread food all over Ulster County” by filling up the shelves of local food pantries and to putting an end to hunger in our communities. The library that collects the highest number of food items during this period wins the Food Fight and receives a winners’ certificate! The Gardiner Library was crowned the “Food Fight Victor” in 2020 and is hoping to keep their title! Help your library win the Food Fight with your donations of non-perishable (and non-expired) food items for local food pantries. It sounds like a messy fight, but this is a clean competition with other libraries in Ulster County. Please contact your local library to find out if they are participating and how you can donate food items.Thanks for your help in this worthy fight!
The Great Give Back – Terracycle Program
October 16, 2021 – April 22, 2022
Each participating library will be collecting items for 3 different TerraCycle brigades: Colgate, Gillette and Nordstrom. Here’s what will be accepted:
Colgate:
All brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers. NOTE: Electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and/or their parts are not accepted through this program. Items collected will be delivered to Orange Community College to add to their ongoing TerraCycle collection program. Points earned for the collected items help support OCC students.
Gillette:
All brands of blades and razors (systems and disposable units, and replaceable-blade cartridge units), rigid plastic packaging, and flexible plastic bag packaging. Items collected will go to TerraCycle to be made into new products.
Nordstrom:
All brands of beauty product and skincare packaging, such as pump caps, hair spray triggers, lipstick cases, eyeliner pencils, and mascara tubes. Items collected will be dropped off at Nordstrom to be recycled into new products.
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
Great Give Back: Craft & Clutter Sale/ Donation Drive for Hi Tor/ Clothing Drive
Saturday, October 16
10:00 am-4:00 pm
For all ages
Craft & Clutter Sale! Are you Crafty? Do you have stuff you want to clear out? Great! HKDPL is looking for Vendors for our outdoor sale! Spots must be reserved in advance. $10 per spot, Vendors must bring their own table. All fees will be donated to the North Rockland Food Pantry.
For more information, please call 845.786.3800 x 18.
Join us for a day of giving by donating Gently Used clothing!
Hi Tor Donation Drive: Donate Supplies to benefit Hi Tor Animal Shelter.
We are also participating in the TerraCycle program with the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick, NY.
Hudson Valley SPCA Drive
Collecting dog and cat supplies for The Hudson Valley SPCA during the month of October (October 1- October 31) during library hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-4:30,Sat 10:30-12:30
Josephine-Louise Public Library
The Great Give Back: Humane Society of Walden and Terracycle
October 1-30
To assist JLPL’s participation in The Great Give Back this year, your help is needed in collecting items to send to TerraCycle, a national social initiative offering a variety of programs through which you can recycle nearly every type of waste, and donations from the Humane Society of Walden’s wish list. Copies of the item lists are available at the library. Any recyclable items and donations are greatly appreciated.
For more information, call the Library at (845) 778-7621, Ext. 1512.
TerraCycle Program
October 16 2021- April 22, 2022
Newburgh Free Library will participate in the TerraCycle program. This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turn them into new products. Registration is not required; open to all ages.
Newburgh Personal Care Drive
October 4-16
Accepting Donations of new and unopened toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, body wash, bar soap, and feminine hygiene products. Accepting donations at the Main Library and Town Branch. On Saturday, October 16th stop by and make a thinking of you card or a note of encouragement for a neighbor in need.
The Great Give Back–Sock Collection
October 1-31
Please donate new pairs of socks (for children and adults) during the month
of October for the United Way & Haverstraw Center.
A donation bin will be located in the lobby of the Bridge Entrance to the library. No registration or restrictions.
Collection for Center for Safety and Change
October 4-16
We are happy to be gathering personal items for the Center for Safety and Change. For over 40 years, this organization has worked tirelessly with victims, survivors and their family members, offering life-saving and life-changing programs and services to thousands in Rockland county.
Rail Trail Cleanup with Keep Rockland Beautiful
Sunday, October 17
1:00-4:00 pm
Meet at the trail head at Oak Tree Road at 1:00 pm
For all ages
Participate in the Great Giveback as the library teams up with Keep Rockland Beautiful to pick up trash from the Rail Trail. Meet at the trail head at Oak Tree Road and join us as we clean up along the trail to Memorial Park in Sparkill. All cleanup supplies will be provided. Teens may earn up to 3 community service hours for participation in this program. Pack a water bottle and meet at the trail head at 1 PM. See you there!
Register at www.palisadeslibrary.org.
Food Collection for St. Aedan’s Food Pantry
September 8 – October 16
We are collecting food items for the St. Aedan’s Food Pantry in Pearl River.
Support Small Animal Shelters!
August 18 – November 1
The Pine Bush Library will be collecting animal food, blankets, pillows, beds, food bowls, cleaning products, buckets, horse tack, newspapers and any associated animal and rescue facility supplies. (Please bring clean, unbroken items!)Donations for the Great Give Back should be brought to the Pine Bush Library no later than November1, 2021.
Monetary donations will be appreciated, as well. Please make checks out to: “The Pine Bush Area Public Library”. The funds will be distributed equally to the shelters we are working with.
Thank you in advance for supporting the smaller animal shelters and making a difference!
Food 4 Fines
October 1-31
From October 1st – 31st non-perishable food items and pet food may be donated in place of paying fines for overdue library materials. The library will forgive up to one dollar ($1) in fines for each item donated, up to the maximum fine limit of $10.
All food items collected will be donated to a Helping Hands food pantry and pet food items will be donated to the Humane Society of Port Jervis/Deerpark.
Food must be unopened, not damaged, and not past expiration date. Non-Perishable items only. Food will be accepted for LATE fines only! We will not accept food donations for payment of damaged or lost items.
If you don’t have fines, your donations are also welcome!
Food Drive
September 1 – October 15
The Suffern Free Library is hosting a food drive to benefit food pantries in the Suffern Central School District. We encourage everyone to help our community by donating non-expired non-perishable items in the receptacle in our main lobby. Don’t forget to think about kids when donating and include some lunch or snack items. Together we can make a difference! Anyone interested in donating grocery or monetary gift cards should contact Nancy Wendt at 845-357-1237, ext. 29 or by email at nwendt@rcls.org.
The Great Give Back Food Drive
October 1-18
The Valley Cottage Library will be hosting a food drive to benefit the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage.
Help the Food Cupboard create Thanksgiving food baskets for families by donating holiday food items like boxed stuffing mix, boxed 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 in plastic bottles.
Donations of non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off at the library during operating hours. Thank you for your generosity!
TerraCycle Program
October 18 2021 – April 22, 2022
Valley Cottage Library is excited to be participating in the TerraCycle collection program! This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turning them into new products.
Drop off clean and empty: toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic razors, make-up dispensers and more to the collection bins at the library during operating hours. Joined by several Rockland and Orange county libraries this is sure to make an impact!
Give a Kid a Book!
October 1 – November 1
The Valley Cottage Library Children’s Room will collect new, unused books to be given as gifts to children through local charities during the holidays.
Personal Care/Household Items Collection
September 17 – October 16
The Wallkill Public Library will be accepting donations of personal care and household items to be donated to the local food pantry from Friday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 16 as part of the Great Give Back of 2021. A few examples of items being collected are: laundry detergent, dish soap, garbage bags, paper products. A few examples of personal care items are: deodorant, body wash/soap, toothpaste, women’s personal hygiene items. The collection is not limited to these items. Please stop in during normal business hours to drop off donations in our collection box. We appreciate your help!
Donation to the Center For Safety & Change
October 1-31
We are gathering a collection of much needed items such as clothing, toiletries and gift cards for food to donate to the Center for Safety & Change.
Please see our website for a complete “shopping list.” Donations can be dropped off at our three branches in Callicoon, Jeffersonville, and Narrowsburg.
Western Sullivan Public Library
Basic Needs Drive
October 1 – November 15
Collection of everyday essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc. Donations will be distributed to local pantries.
Great Give Back Color a Placemat
October 16 – November 16
For students in grade 3-8
Participants can brighten up Thanksgiving Day for residents at a local nursing home by picking up a place mat, coloring it at home and returning it to the library to be laminated and distributed for the holiday. They can choose from three different place mat designs.
Registration is not required. All children in the Monroe-Woodbury school district including home schooled children are welcome to participate.