HRMS Students Collect 2,293 Pounds of Food for Danvers Pantry

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 27. Here are five things to know today in Danvers.

1. Holten-Richmond Middle School students collected 2,293 pounds of non-perishable food items earlier this month to donate to the People-to-People Food Pantry. Nancy Bray, who's organized the annual Thanksgiving food drive for the past 14 years, reports it was one of the best year's ever of the food drive.
2. Santa returns to the Danvers SwampWalk on Saturday to raise funds for Toys for Tots. You can take pictures with Santa starting at 11 a.m.
3. The annual menorah lighting and family Chanukah party over at the Northshore Mall is Wednesday from 3:30-5 p.m. There will be Chanukah-themed crafts and activities, a show by Wacky Chad from Faneuil Hall in Boston, Chanukah gifts for sale, balloon shaping and special treats including hot latkes, chocolate coins and doughnuts. All the fun will be happening over in the JCPenny Court.
4. Town Hall, the library and other town offices will be closed both Thursday and Friday this week.
5. The holiday also means trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day, starting Thursday. Friday's collection will be picked up on Saturday and the town Transfer Station will be open this Saturday from 7 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. for leaf disposal.
6. The Giving Garden at the Liberty Tree Mall is now open to accept donations to local charities through the holiday season. The five trees, representing five organizations, are located in the Best Buy wing of the mall. Each tree contains ornaments of specific wishes for that organization and mall shoppers can then purchase an item listed and bring it back to the Giving Garden by Dec. 20 to ensure delivery by Christmas. Gifts can also be dropped off directly at each organization. This year it's Haven from Hunger, Operation Troop Support, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots and Hope on Wheels (run by Hyundai Village of Danvers).