Giving is the spirit of the season. Here are some ways that residents can reach out to those in need this season.

Turning Point, a special program division of Wareham Area Committee for the Homeless, is looking for the public’s help to ensure every area child enjoys the Magic of the Holidays. 

Their “Holiday Magic” Outreach Program provides clothing and gifts to those that qualify for assistance from the towns of Middleboro, Wareham, Buzzards Bay, Carver, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. 

Last season, more than 560 children were provided with some holiday magic as a result of the whole community coming together, from local businesses and individuals to senior citizens and middle and high school student volunteers. Turning Point is again looking for the public’s assistance to ensure the Magic continues this year.

There are many ways to help Turning Point this season. Anyone wanting to help can sponsor a child or family, donate to one of the toy drive locations, volunteer time, or send a product or financial donation to the organization. 

Anyone interested in sponsoring, volunteering, making a donation, or who needs assistance, or additional information should contact holidaymagic2022@gmail.com.

Throughout November, Dermody Cleaners is holding its 14th annual Food Drive to benefit those in need in the area. Drop-off sites include the Lakeville location at 220 Bedford St. 

Residents are invited to bring donated items to any Dermody Cleaners location. With the winter holiday season approaching and the cost of living on the rise, the need for donations is most crucial this year, drive supporters said.

Dermody Cleaners has partnered with St. Vincent dePaul for nearly 30 years with a Coats for Kids campaign each winter, and this will be their fourth Food Drive together.

Food items can be dropped off in-person at any Dermody Cleaners location or by including them with clothing on the home pickup and delivery service.

Dermody Cleaners requires that all donated items be non-perishable and in non-glass containers. The most requested items are peanut butter, canned tuna, spaghetti sauce, ketchup, cereal, and dry pasta.

 Help The Sacred Heart Food Pantry, 53 Oak St., Middleboro, as the organization brightens the holidays for others this season.

The pantry is signing up qualified applicants to receive a complete Christmas meal for the holiday. 

Sign-ups continue any time the pantry is open. Pantry hours are: the first four Saturdays of the month from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and the second and fourth Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The last day to register for a Christmas meal will be Saturday, Dec. 17 before 11 a.m.

Christmas meals will be available to anyone in need, whether or not they are already a pantry recipient. To qualify, recipients must live in Middleboro, Lakeville, Rochester, or Carver. .

The food pantry expects to distribute nearly 400 Christmas meals this year. Anyone who  wishes to donate to this event should send a check to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, P.O. Box 1381, Middleboro, MA, 02346. Put “Holiday Meals” in the memo space.

 The “Giving Tree” program, which provides assistance to struggling households in Lakeville, Middleboro, Rochester and Carver, is looking for community support.

The program provides gifts of clothing, toys, or gift cards for eligible children from newborn through high school. Gifts are also provided to local nursing homes and shelters whose residents are identified as being in need.

Sign-ups are now underway at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry at 53 Oak St. in Middleboro. The remaining registration dates include Wednesdays and Saturdays in November. The final date for registration in this year’s “Giving Tree” program is Saturday, Nov. 26. 

The Giving Tree program is community-based and depends on local organizations, businesses, and individuals to help sustain it. Area businesses from each of the four towns can support the program by requesting gift tags to display on a Christmas tree. Companies can also distribute tags to employees or patrons who choose to help sponsor a child by purchasing the gift item listed on the tag. The tags will be available soon. Others opt to support the program by making a contribution. Donations are accepted through Dec. 15.

According to program co-chairpersons, Arlyn White and Marsha Trackey, community support is essential for the success of the program. It is expected that over 700 children will be enrolled this year. Businesses and individuals wishing to participate may contact the Giving Tree phone line at 508-658-0114. Donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 1381, Middleboro, MA 02346 and notated “Giving Tree Program” in the memo line.

A number of area organizations and businesses are participating in Toys for Tots, a long-standing holiday initiative to collect new, unwrapped toys for children. To find out local sites to donate, visit toysfortots.org.