Local towns, police depts. organize charity drives MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Heidi Bialkowski, Keyport, donates a bag of nonperishable food items to Keyport Officer Matt Salvatore, outside the Stop & Shop supermarket, Routes 35 and 36, on Nov. 20. Looking for a fun way to make someone's Christmas a little merrier? There are programs throughout the Bayshore looking for donations. On Friday afternoon, the Matawan-Aberdeen public library is sponsoring a "Make a Gift" program for ages 11 and up. Participants will make "rainbow soup" and "cookies in a jar," then donate the ready-to-make desserts to the Matawan Food Pantry. All materials are provided and participation is free. Children's librarian Sara Imranyi hosted the same event last year, donating 30 handmade jars to the charity. The program takes place on Friday from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Registration is not required but is suggested. Call (732) 583-9100 for additional information. The library is located at 165 Main St., Matawan. Keyport residents are encouraged to donate canned goods and other nonperishable food items at the drop-off box located at the Keyport Police Department, West Front Street, Keyport. Police officers are also periodically collecting items outside Stop & Shop, at the intersection of Routes 35 and 36. All of the food items will make their way to the Keyport Food Pantry, which feeds the less fortunate throughout the area. Police will continue to collect items throughout the month of December. For more information call the department's main number at (732) 264-0706. The Aberdeen Policemen's Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 163 has joined with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program to collect new unwrapped toys to distribute to needy children in the community at Christmas. The deadline for donations is Dec. 17, and donation boxes are located at the Police Department window in the lobby of the Aberdeen Township Municipal Building, 1 Aberdeen Square. For more information, call PBA President Michael Plant at (732) 970-3411 or visit www.toysfortots.org. - Karen E. Bowes