It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner.

To celebrate the season of giving, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is banding together with the Boy Scouts of America Rainbow Council to help collect food to provide Thanksgiving meals to area families in need.

Proceeds from the non-perishable food drive, which ends Nov. 18, will benefit three local food pantries. 

Students who participate in the YMCA’s before- or after-school programs can help out by bringing donations to their school sites, said Carolyn Hamilton, YMCA director of marketing and community relations.

Donations can be left at the following branches:

• Galowich Family YMCA

749 Houbolt Road

Joliet, IL 60431

Donating to: Family Outreach Program 

• Smith Family YMCA

1350 S. Briggs Street

Joliet, IL 60433

Donating to: Catholic Charities Daybreak

Click here for hours of operation for each location.

Another way to give back

The YMCA food drive isn’t the only way the Plainfield community can make it a happy Thanksgiving for local families in need.

The annual Ford Family Turkey Drop will return to the Plainfield Moose Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.

Stop by, drop off a frozen bird and enjoy a free lunch, compliments of the Moose lodge. The turkeys will benefit the Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry, the Wheatland Township food program, We Care pantry in Romeoville and MorningStar Mission in Joliet, along with helping fill Thanksgiving baskets provided by the Moose Lodge.

For more information on the turkey drop, click here.