Food welcome at Central Library

June Casagrande

Salinger. Twain. Hemingway. Hamburger Helper. If your reading list

looks like this, you’re probably on your way to the Newport Beach

Central Library, where a food drive this year will help needy

families have a happy holiday.

Bins for “Share Our Selves” are now in front of the central

library for donations of canned goods and other nonperishable items

that will be distributed to the needy throughout the region.

“This is a great opportunity for people who are helping themselves

at the library to help others at the same time,” said Melissa Adams,

spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Library.

In addition to canned foods and holiday items, dry goods, personal

hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, fast food gift certificates

and many other items are needed.

Share Our Selves is a Costa Mesa charity that provides emergency

assistance to people in need of shelter, food and other basic

necessities.

The food drive will continue through Dec. 18.

“When you come to the library this season, don’t just bring your

library card and your list of required reading material. Bring that

spare can of cranberry sauce and help others have a happy holiday,”

Adams said.

The Newport Beach Central Library is at 1000 Avocado Ave.

Donations may be made anytime the library is open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and

noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (949) 717-3801.