For the second year, the Bradford YMCA is collaborating with YWCA Bradford for a food, clothing and toiletries drive that will span through the holiday season.

Operation Give Thanks gives the YMCA and the community an opportunity to support the YWCA, an organization that provides important services to McKean County all year.

“The items collected at the YMCA will go directly to those in need at the local YWCA,” said Emily Rhoades, one of the program organizers and the aquatic director at the YMCA. “The items will stay local and help men, women and children in Bradford and the surrounding areas.”

Items are being collected in boxes in the Bradford YMCA lobby.

Rhoades outlined more specifically the types of items for which they are looking.

For clothing, she said, “Please consider donating new socks, and underwear in addition to any gently used hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, sweatpants and winter coats for local families in need.”

Meanwhile, non-perishable food items can include peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, pasta and rice. The organization is also taking donations of toiletries such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, toilet paper, kleenex, baby wipes, diapers, incontinence pads, feminine hygiene products, soap and more.

“We are asking that all items be placed in a bag before they are put into our donation boxes located in the lobby of the Bradford YMCA,” she said, noting, “We are collecting items for the months of November and December.”

Rhoades is pleased the YMCA has the chance to show love to the community.

“Thank you to the YWCA for giving the Bradford Y the opportunity to support a local organization while directly helping those in our community,” she said.

YWCA Bradford offers services including the Victims’ Resource Center, which supports people who experience domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Also, the YWCA has housing and employment services, along with a mental health & intellectual disabilities program.

The Bradford YMCA, part of the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, offers a number of sports & recreation opportunities and health & wellness and youth development programs.