Riverbank Cares is currently coordinating with O’Brien’s Market for a food drive that will help feed over 400 Riverbank families this Christmas. If you or anyone you know would like to make a donation, visit O’Brien’s Market or Riverbank’s City Hall North. The food giveaway will take place on Friday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Riverbank Community Center. There is no registration required. Seniors and disabled residents can call 209-863-7153 for home delivery.

Riverbank Cares is also working with the local Riverbank Nursing Center to bring a little gift to each resident. There are several “grandparents” available for adoption. These seniors are really asking for very simple things like lotions, socks, sweatpants, cookies, ball point pens, and sweaters. If you or anyone you know would like to bring a smile to these seniors, visit WestAmerica Bank in the Crossroads Shopping Center or O’Brien’s Market to pick out a tag for a senior in need.

There is also a collection request for warm gloves, blankets, hats, scarves, or socks for several seniors in Riverbank. These items will be collected for a few seniors that meet for lunch regularly at the Community Center and also for the shut-in seniors that get meals on wheels delivered to them. If you or your loved ones are out shopping and can also pick up any of these items to donate that would help provide for a happy holiday season for some local senior citizens. The items can be dropped off at City Hall North.

Toys for Tots is another ongoing holiday effort. The toy giveaway later this month will be for low income Riverbank children. The following locations are accepting toys now until Monday, Dec. 12: Casa del Rio, all Riverbank Unified Schools, TSW Financial, Riverbank City Hall, New Life Church, Community Praise Tabernacle, and Self Help Federal Credit Union. Children must be pre-registered; families in need can register by calling 209-869-0468 and the deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 12.