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The Niles-Maine District Library Staff donated 64 Thanksgiving dinner bags to Niles

Family Services. Each dinner bag includes a $25 gift card to a local grocery store (for purchasing

turkey, gravy, and other miscellaneous items), stuffing, bread mix, mixed vegetables, sweet

potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The total value of the gift cards alone equals $1,600 and over

500 pounds of non-perishable goods. All funds and goods were donated exclusively by library

staff members.

"It really reflects how much the library staff cares about the community," said Executive

Director, Susan Dove Lempke. "Everybody contributed what they were able to and I think we all

love knowing that families in the community will get to enjoy the holiday, too."

The effort started in 2011 when the Library Director at the time heard that Niles Family

Services needed more goods to help feed families in the community during the holidays.

Library staff aimed to break last year's record of 63 Thanksgiving dinner bags. When

library staff realized they were going to tie last year's count, a staff member put together one

more bag which resulted in a new goal to surpass next year. Hopefully, that excitement will pale

in comparison to the feelings of joy the bags will bring to the families that receive them.

Niles-Maine District Library is located at 6960 Oakton Street, the northeast corner of the

Oakton and Waukegan intersection. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 9pm,

Friday, 9am to 7pm, Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.