Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

The holidays have arrived, and many people have started thinking about what to get for their family and friends. However, this time of year is also a great time to consider springing for things for strangers in need. Drives and donation sites, such as those listed below, are an easy way to make the holidays nicer for everyone.

Western’s food pantry, location on campus across from Heritage Hall, is always accepting donations. They accept not only food, but hygiene products as well. They also accept perishable foods as well as shelf-stable ones, restricted only against homemade or unlabeled foods.

The Independence Police Department will also be having their own donation drive, accepting both shelf-stable foods and monetary donations. This drive has already begun and will go through Dec. 14.

Some Bi Mart locations will be having winter clothing drives throughout the winter. They will be collecting clothes for cold weather throughout the season with dates varying for each.

A number of locations in Salem will also be accepting non-perishable food donations throughout the season. Multiple Fred Meyers will be taking donations up until Dec. 24. Additionally, the Salem Saturday Market will also take donations on Dec. 13 and 14, also of shelf-stable foods.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu