If you’re planning on donating a turkey this year, you can donate at any of these locations.  

• United Food Bank (East Valley )November 21-23: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Donate at any Fry’s Food Store location by adding your donation amount to your grocery bill. A donation of $2.50 will provide enough food for 17 meals. A donation of $10 will provide enough food for 70 meals.
• Lee Lee International Supermarket is hosting a holiday food drive at all three Arizona locations until Tuesday to benefit two Arizona food banks. Donations from the Chandler location will go to the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix, which is most in need of beans (canned or dried), canned fruit and vegetables, canned soups, stews, chili and pasta, cereal, diapers, juice, peanut butter, rice and tuna (canned or vacuum packed).

St. Mary’s food bank has a few different locations available to donate:

• They will be collecting food donations at 31st and Thomas until Thursday 8am to 5pm at the Thomas and 31st Location, as well as
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is collecting cash and turkeys 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at The Stockyards Restaurant, 5009 E. Washington St., Phoenix. The Stockyards Restaurant, Valley of the Sun United Way, Rock Springs Pies, The Celebrity Theater and the Arizona Centennial Chopper will sponsor the drive.

Don’t have time to drop one off? There are plenty of online options for giving.

• Try Buy-A-Bird online! buyabird.org is an online shopping site where you can buy stuffed animal birds which directly donates to the St. Mary’s Food Bank Thanksgiving Drive
• The Real Gift Foundation’s 12th annual Thanksgiving Dinner Drive is taking place now.They plan to deliver 3,650 pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinners to homeless children (and their families) who attend more than 70 public schools throughout Maricopa County. In order to deliver the dinners, The Real Gift Foundation needs to raise more than $80,000. Just $25 dollars will feed a family of six. To donate, visit www.therealgift.org or call (602) 482-5800

Donate today and give back to your community for the holidays.

This Friday the 25th is not only  Black Friday and/or the day to fully commit to your post turkey food coma. It  is the beginning of Buy Local Week! Local First wants to encourage you to bring your holiday spending to great local businesses for unique gifts and community support. You can visit the website to see special deals from local business from November 25th to December 4th.

We all know that shopping locally not only supports community, but boosts local economy, and weeks like these are a great reminder that you can choose local everyday.

But your Local spending doesn’t have to wait until this Friday. If you’re planning to have your thanksgiving out, why not eat at a local restaurant? There are a ton of locally-owned restaurants that are offering specials. This year Avanti, on E. Thomas Road, is offering a 4-course prix-fixe meal with an Italian twist, and classic thanksgiving pies or pumpkin Cheesecake . One of our favorites, El Chorro, will be serving up the classic Thanksgiving dinner. Not to worry, the sticky buns will be available for dessert. La Piccola Cucina, is having a great thanksgiving feast featuring an incredible desert that is getting a lot of attention. It is a spiced poached pear over cannoli filling in a deep red wine sauce. Who could say no?

When you’re done with dinner, visit the Local First site for Holiday Tips to help you spend locally this season. They’re even sponsoring a Holiday shift contest. E-mail  Erica@localfirstaz.com with a list of ways you’re shifting your holiday spending, and you will be entered to win a great prize from a local business.

Remember to spend you holiday with the community you love and support local businesses this season. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!