Upper Hudson Library System Archived Events
Public libraries of Albany County and Rensselaer County
Below are libraries in the Upper Hudson 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
This October, all 36 Libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System are joining “The Great Give Back.” Throughout October, residents of Albany and Rensselaer County are encouraged to visit their local public libraries and contribute by donating food or personal hygiene items, which will be delivered to The Food Pantries for the Capital District.
Albany Public Library- Arbor Hill / West Hill Branch
Albany Public Library- Bach Branch
Albany Public Library- Delaware Branch
Albany Public Library- Howe Branch
Albany Public Library- North Albany Branch
Albany Public Library- Pine Hills Branch
Albany Public Library- Washington Ave. Branch
Arvilla E. Diver Memorial Library (Schaghticoke)
The Great Give Back Food Donation
October 2nd-31st
All ages
The Berne Public Library will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the month of October. Donations will go to local pantries.
No registration required
Collecting For: The Food Pantries of the Capital District
October 1st-31st from 10:00am-6:00pm
All ages
Our library is collecting food for The Food Pantries of the Capital District through the month of October! Drop off food during open hours in the month of Oct. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-2.
No registration required
Cheney Library (Hoosick Falls)
East Greenbush Community Library
Period Product Drive
October 1st-31st
All ages
The library is collecting donations of period products throughout the month of October. All donations will go to local community partners. Help us make this basic necessity more accessible! Donation suggestions include new and unopened packages of tampons, pads and liners, menstrual cups, cleansing wipes, and reusable period products.
No registration required
Donations for Local Food Pantry
October 21st-28th from 10:00am-1:00pm
All ages
Non-perishable Food Items that will be donated to local food pantry. Grafton Community Library has on-going food drive for local food pantry.
No registration required
The Great Give Back: Pet Food and Toy Drive!
October 14th-21st from 9:00am-5:00pm
All ages
We’re partnering once again with two local animal rescue organizations — Whiskers Benevolent League of Albany, and Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of NY, in Schenectady– to collect pet food and toy donations! We will collect donations from October 14-21; please leave them in the designated bins in the Lobby. Items to donate: Canned cat food and canned puppy food (not expired), Dry cat or dog food (not opened, not expired), Leashes, Soft toys –especially made of fleece, Kongs or rope toys for dogs, Bleach (unopened), towels, and small fleece blankets.
No registration required
North Greenbush Public Library
Robert A. Fahr Watervliet Public Library
Troy Public Library- Lansingburgh Branch
Troy Public Library- Main Branch
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie Library)
2022
The Great Give Back: Cleaning Supply Donations
October 3-21
Give back to your community by donating cleaning supplies at the library! Supplies will be donated to the Bethlehem Food Pantry.
The food pantry is looking for new, unopened household cleaning supplies, such as Windex, bleach, Comet, and scrub pads, as well as items such as toothpaste, tooth brushes, paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues.
Donated items can be placed in a donation bin in the library hallway. Donations will be taken from October 3 to October 21.
Great Give Back – Card Making
October 11
2:30-4:00 pm
For all ages
Stop by the Community Room and create handmade cards with kind and inspiring messages. These cards will be given to people at local assisted living facilities as part of the Great Give Back.
Registration is not required.
Fall Fest – OpSnip Cat Rescue Meet n Greet / Fundraiser
September 24
12:00-4:00 pm
For all ages
OpSnip Cat Rescue Meet n Greet / Fundraiser
Drop in event! Visit Fall Fest and stop by OpSnip’s booth to support their animal rescue
OpSnip is looking for donations of:
-Purina Fancy Feast Grain Free Kitten Food
-Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter
-Purina Friskies Gravy Wet Cat Food – Meaty Bits
-Purina Friskies Tasty Treasures Adult Wet Cat Food
-Fortiflora Purina Veterinary Diets Feline Nutritional Supplement
-Purina Kitten Chow Dry Kitten Food
organization.
Coats for the Community
October 1-14
Cohoes Senior Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza
Please donate new and gently used coats, boots, hats, gloves, and snow pants (adult and children’s sizes) between October 1-14, at our satellite library located in the Cohoes Senior Center.
Collected items will be distributed locally in Cohoes, Green Island, Waterford, and Watervliet. Coats for the Community is brought to you by The Albany Association of Ladies of Charity at the Cohoes Senior Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza on Friday, October 21 (1:30 – 6 pm) and Saturday (9 am – 12 noon).
Pet Food Drive
October 1-21
This year we are again hosting a Pet Food Drive from October 1 – 21 to benefit two very worthwhile, local organizations: The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and Whiskers Animal Benevolent League. We are collecting canned cat food and dry dog food or treats that are unopened, not expired, and not prescription. Also welcome: kitty litter and pet-sized blankets. Whiskers also requested small white paper plats and paper towels. Drop off donated items into the marked bins in our lobby from October 1-21.
Pet Food Drive For HCRC
October 15 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Rensselaerville Library has teamed up with multiple businesses and organizations within our library community to collect pet food for the Hilltowns Community Resource Center. With the increasing cost of food and gasoline, families are struggling to make ends meet. At the HCRC Food Pantry, pets are included as part of the family. Unfortunately, with inflation and supply shortages, donations are way down. The Regional Foodbank — which supplies 75% of the Food Pantry resources — had to make the hard decision to discontinue pet food due to the high demand for human food at this time.
There are many families that will feed their pets before themselves. Pets bring so much to our lives and any help would mean so much to so many. Drop off locations include the Library, Rensselaerville VFD Firehouse, the Town Transfer Station, Kuhar Family Farm Cafe and the Medusa and Preston Hollow post offices. No registration required.
The Great Give Back – Collection for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
September 15 – October 15
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a local volunteer organization that builds beds for kids who are sleeping on the floor. In the last four years, they’ve delivered close to 800 beds in our region. From September 15 – October 15, we’ll be collecting new (in original packaging) twin sheet sets, comforters, and pillows. SHP serves ages 3-17, so both children’s-themed and teen/neutral-themed sheets are needed. In addition, we’ll be collecting funds to build beds. For more ways to help (like building and delivery), visit www.shpbeds.org.
Open to the public
2021
The Great Give Back: Cleaning Supply Donations
October 1-17
Give back to your community by donating cleaning supplies at the library! Supplies will be donated to the Bethlehem Food Pantry.
Donated items can be placed in a donation bin in the library hallway. Donations will be taken from October 1 to October 17.
The Great Give Back: Cards for Older Adults
October 16
3:00-4:00 pm
For all ages
Join us at the library to make cards for local adults living in assisted living homes. We will provide craft supplies to create hand-made cards, you provide the creativity! Write a heartfelt message in the card to brighten someone’s day.
No registration required
The Great Give Back: Cleaning and Hygiene Supply Donations
October 1-29
Give back to your community by donating cleaning and hygiene supplies at the Cohoes Public Library! Supplies will be donated to neighbors in need through the local food bank system during the month of October.
Donated items can be placed in a clearly marked Great Give Back donation box in the library space at the Cohoes Senior Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza between 10 am and 3 pm Monday through Friday.
It takes a village to keep everyone safe and healthy. Thank you in advance for your support!
PLEASE NOTE: The Cohoes Public Library is located inside the Cohoes Senior Center temporarily. Out of respect for the staff and volunteers who work at this location, we ask that you bring your donated items into the library space during open hours and avoid placing them either outside the entrance to the Senior Center or in their atrium as this is a library sponsored program. Thank you.
Colonie Library (William K. Sanford Town Library)
The Great Give Back: Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
Friday, October 15
3:00-6:00 pm, and
Saturday, October 16
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Our library is joining other libraries across New York State in helping charities on Saturday, October 16, 2021. We have chosen the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and will be accepting donations Friday, October 15th from 3-6pm and Saturday, October 16th from 11am – 3pm. Accepted items include unopened pet food, towels, fleece blankets and more.
East Greenbush Community Library
Quilt a Square for Project Linus
September 3 – October 16
Grab-and-go
For adults
Help East Greenbush Library make a quilt for Project Linus. Project Linus will donate this quilt to a child who needs comfort, is seriously ill or is traumatized. We will be making a pattern called “Log Cabin Variation” that will be sewn together for a scrappy community quilt. You can machine or hand sew your blocks. Fabric & pattern are provided. Please return your completed kit in it’s original bag (labeled ATT: Jody) by October 16 to the Returns Bins at the circulation desk or the drive-thru window at East Greenbush Community Library.
Registration starts August 28th. Register on the event calendar on eglibrary.org or just call us at 518-477-7476. Kits will be available from Friday, September 3rd at our drive-thru window.
Please register before you pick up your kit. One per household. East Greenbush/Schodack and local patrons only, please! Learn more at https://www.projectlinus.org/
Color-A-Smile
Saturday, October 16
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Kids, teens and adults are invited to stop by the library between 10am – 2pm to participate in the 2021 Great Give Back. 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 are coloring fun Autumn pictures to support Color a Smile, a nonprofit organization that distributes cheerful drawings to senior citizens, our troops overseas, and anyone that would benefit from a bright cheerful masterpiece on their refrigerator door or bulletin board! No registration required.
Pajama and Book Drive
October 16 – November 16
Help support local children in need by purchasing a new set of pajamas and a storybook for the corresponding age and size pajamas purchased. Sizes 6 months to 16 years are needed. Bring your donation to the library beginning October 16th. Tie the pajamas and books together with a ribbon or string to help keep the sets together. Let us know at the library if you need book recommendations for the different age groups!
(518)766-2715 The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday 12pm-6pm; Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday 12pm-8pm, and Saturday 10am-12pm. www.nassaufreelibrary.org
Great Give Back: Food Pantry Collection
September 18-October 16
The Poestenkill Library and the Town of Poestenkill will collect items for the local food pantry from September 18 through October 16. Donation bins will be located in both the library and the town offices. While all donations are appreciated, the following items are some of the most requested: sugar, apple juice, baked beans, prepackaged cookies, cheerios, honey nut cheerios, chicken or turkey dressing, coffee, canned fruit, peanut butter, grape jelly, cooking oil, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, hash, macaroni and cheese, canned pasta, vegetables(corn, peas , green beans)., canned potatoes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, dish detergent, laundry detergent, bath soap and deodorant.
Great Give Back – No Sew Blanket Take and Make
September 13 – October 10
Take & Make – pick up/drop off at the library
For all ages
Join the library in giving back to the community! This year we are providing No-Sew Blanket Kits for patrons to make at home. Pick up a kit the week of Sep. 13, work on it yourself or with your family, then return it to the library the week of Oct. 10. Finished blankets will be donated to the local chapter of Project Linus and the Sgt. Henry Johnson Veterans House. Please register for a kit.
Registration is required. Limited to one kit per household. Must be able to pick up supplies and drop off completed blanket to Voorheesville Public Library. https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=VPL&curID=528016&CFID=24136570&CFTOKEN=4ce95125df5130c7-F1D91414-D4AE-528A-5350582DA81E0DE1
2021 Great Give Back
September 30 – October 16
Westerlo Library is participating in The Great Give Back by collecting toiletries for the Hilltowns Community Resource Center.