* Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services’ emergency assistance and food pantry Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Program assisted 119 households last month. In the previous two years, the program served 89 households in 2021 and 79 in 2020.

* Mercer Island Firefighters IAFF Local 1762 raised more than $7,000 at its annual Thanksgiving donation food drive for the food pantry on Nov. 23 to support families experiencing food insecurity during the holidays. They raised an additional $622 at the Dec. 2 Firehouse Munch.

* The Mercer Island Thrift Shop Giving Tree returns this holiday season and people can make a $10-$20 donation to Youth and Family Services to help support a variety of community needs. For information, visit https://www.mercerislandthrift.org.