Helping Hands is able to provide monthly giveaways of free food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and pet food thanks to the support of volunteers. The next giveaway night will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 in front of the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68-70 North Broad Street in Norwich. (Photo from the Helping Hands Norwich Facebook page)

NORWICH — Norwich-based nonprofit Helping Hands will be hosting their monthly giveaway night on Thursday, August 15 at 6 p.m. in front of the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68-70 North Broad Street in Norwich.

The organization provides free food products, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and pet food to residents of Chenango County and the surrounding areas, no questions asked.

Anyone can walk or drive through to pick up items pre-bagged by volunteers.

"You just drive through or you walk through to each station, there’s the hygiene station, the cleaning station, the food station, Chobani, milk, bread. We go right around the circle of the Y," explained Helping Hands Founder Lorri Race.

Those who would like to support Helping Hands can do so through volunteering and donating. For information on volunteering opportunities, message the Helping Hands Norwich Facebook page.

Donations of food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and pet food can be dropped off at the Norwich Family YMCA, or items can be purchased through the Helping Hands Amazon Wish List linked at the top of the Helping Hands Norwich Facebook page. Items purchased through the Wish List will be delivered directly to Helping Hands.

Other ways to support Helping Hands include donating new and used sneakers and cleats and empty bottles and cans.

Sneakers and cleats can be dropped off in the Go Sneakers donation box set up in the main lobby of the YMCA. Those that are in good condition are cleaned and given to individuals in need, and those that can't be reused are recycled. Helping Hands receives a small amount of money for each pair of recycled shoes, which helps them buy items for the giveaway nights.

Empty bottles and cans can be donated at SOPO Redemption Center, located at 6653 NY-12 in Norwich, by letting an employee know the money is to go to Helping Hands.

"If it wasn’t for our supporters and volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible to do what we do," said Race. "I would like to give a very big thanks to everyone that supports us in one way or another."

In addition to hosting their monthly giveaway, Helping Hands will also be at the NBT Bank Free Summer Concert Series on Thursday to announce the winner of VIP tickets to the 31st annual Chenango Blues Fest. The winner will be drawn at 8 p.m. in East Park.

Helping Hands giveaway nights are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., rain or shine.

"Third Thursday at the YMCA. We don’t ever change that," said Race. "People are like, 'it's raining, or it's eight below, or there’s a snowstorm,' but we’ve continued ... We like to keep it same time, same date, so you don’t ever have to take a guess."

Upcoming giveaway nights include:

Thursday, September 19

Thursday, October 17

Thursday, November 21

Thursday, December 19