One of the year’s largest community giving campaigns is just weeks away from distributing food and gifts to needy community members.

To learn how to help with Hood River Christmas Project, turn to Kaleidoscope, page B1, for full details on the Christmas Project and all its needs.

Anyone can donate canned food items and new toys at the Community Building at the Hood River County Fairgrounds in Odell, between Dec. 16-18 (when baskets will be sent out) or drop them off any time before that at the following local collection sites:

CenterPointe Community Bank, Columbia River Bank, Curves, Dog River Coffee, The Dollar Tree, ETC, Hood River Jewelers, Hood River Hotel, Hood River News, Hood River Sports Club, Horizon Christian School, Melika, Print It, Rivers Edge Towing, Rosauers, Subway, Tucker Road Baptist Church, Hood River Valley Christian Church, Walmart and Washington Federal Savings.

If you would like to arrange a pickup, call Jeff McCaw at 386-4950.

Local Scouts are each assigned a barrel and empty them as donations come in.

Other ways to help the needy this year include:

n One Warm Coat — Book Stop, 13 Oak St., is striving to collect 500 new and gently used winter coats between Nov. 21 and Dec. 31.

n Share the Warmth — Windermere Realty offices in the Gorge are accepting warm coats and blankets for Helping Hands Against Violence and other groups. The Hood River office is located at 504 Cascade Ave.