The Truckee Community Christmas program is asking locals to open their hearts to help make the holidays brighter for several hundred less fortunate local families and individuals.

Serving the community in its seventeenth year as an all-volunteer umbrella organization coordinating the efforts of several groups that rally to assist fellow townspeople in need, the Truckee Community Christmas program oversees the collection and distribution of food, toy, and clothing donations.

Here are things that are needed:

Food: Look for food collection barrels to appear at local grocery stores the week before Thanksgiving. Cash and gift card donations are gratefully accepted as well. Suggested food item lists are posted at the collection barrels.

Toys: New unwrapped toys can be placed in collection bins at banks, real estate offices, schools and businesses. Toys that are often in short supply include gifts for infants and teens.

Coats: Warm, clean coats that you are ready to pass along to other families are greatly appreciated. Drop-off gently used winter outerwear at Church of the Mountains, located on Church Street in downtown Truckee.

Senior Holiday Wish program: Donors can provide necessities according to wish lists that residents of the Truckee Senior Center complete. For more information, contact Jesse Griffin at (530) 587.5152 or email xmas.wish@hotmail.com. Area homebound seniors will be taken care of by a team representing the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation’s Queen of Hearts.

Sorting, packing and wrapping: The Sierra Mountain Community Education Center on Donner Pass Road will serve as command central Dec. 16-17 for sorting, packing and wrapping of all donated items.

For those who prefer to help by writing a check, contributions may be mailed to Truckee Community Christmas, P.O. Box 2955, Truckee, CA 96160. Money will be primarily used to purchase food gift cards. All donations are tax deductible.

For general information about any component of Truckee Community Christmas, call the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce at (530) 587.2757.