See Santa, donate food, adopt a dog and drop off your recycling, all at one place
As a way to bring more awareness to the benefits of recycling, and to help two organizations benefiting people in the community, the City of Salina is hosting its Recycling Generosity Food Drive this weekend.
From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3, the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC), 125 W. North St., will be open not only to drop off recyclable materials, but also for people to drop off donations for the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank and Salina Animal Services.
Brent Curtis, the city's environmental education and enforcement coordinator, said this isn't the first time the SDRC has hosted a food drive, with the first being in December 2021.
"Last year we collected 571 individual food items for the food bank and just over $140 in cash donations (for the food bank)," Curtis said. "For animal services we received over 230 food items, about 10 toys and over $180 in donations."
He said that first event was designed to bring awareness and increase the amount of people recycling in the city in a fun way that also benefits the community. Also at the SDRC will be the chance to meet Santa and take home some free swag.
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What items do the food bank and animal services need?
While any non-perishable food, personal hygiene or pet item will be accepted, there are certain things that each organization is in more need of than others.
The Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank lists items its pantry is in need of on its website regularly, with this week's list including things such as dish soap, sugar, ramen, canned tomatoes, gelatin, pudding, instant potatoes, flour, coffee, tea and canned chicken.
The animal shelter is in need of things like blankets, canned cat and dog food, dog treats, non-clumping clay cat litter and paper towels.
Nick Mihalitsas, who works at animal services and will be at the SDRC Saturday, said another item that is always in need is dog toys.
"Kongs and (other) chew toys are a really big thing for the shelter because it helps give the dogs something to do to keep their minds active," Mihalitsas said. "Being in a kennel is very different than being in a home environment."
While the dogs do get time outside for play and exercise, he said giving them a little bit of freedom when they're on their own with a toy is a huge boost for the dogs.
"Even just some frozen peanut butter in a Kong can be a big help...throughout the day," Mihalitsas said.
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See adoptable dogs looking for homes
In addition to people being able to donate items to animal services, dogs that are ready to be adopted will also be at the SDRC during the event.
Mihalitsas said getting adoptable dogs out of the shelter and into the public is a boost for the animals and a help for those looking at possibly adopting.
"For a lot of people it's good to see (the dogs) more than just one-on-one with you than you do here at the shelter," Mihalitsas said. "You see more of their personality and see how they do around people."
He said by seeing them in public with other people, especially strangers, people can see how dogs interact outside of the environment they'll bring them into.
"That way there's no surprises when you get home when you realize they do really well with (the owner), but they don't do too well when you for walks and there's a lot of people outside," Mihalitsas said.
Mihalitsas said he wasn't sure how many dogs will be at the SDRC Saturday, as it depends on how many volunteers will be available to help. He expects there to be a minimum of around four, but he's hoping more dogs will be able to be adopted that day.
"The good thing about it being at the recycling center is that it's just a few blocks from (animal services)," Mihalitsas said. "If we need to have somebody run back and grab a few more, we can certainly can have that option."
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina hosting Recycling Generosity Food Drive this weekend
