PAGE A8, KEIZERTIMES, NOVEMBER 12, 2021 United Way hosting annual pajama drive The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s ninth Annual Pajama Drive began in early November. The drive is an opportunity to support those in need as the winter season approaches. There are more than 40 physical drop-off, including the Keizertimes office at 142 Chemawa Rd. N. Due to many people still working from home and other restrictions stem- ming from COVID-19, United Way has an Amazon wish list that people can buy from and contribute virtually. To browse through these needs, visit www.amazon. com/hz/wishlist. Last year, United Way of the Mid- Willamette Valley collected over 800 pairs of pajamas that were distributed between eight local non-profits serving children and adults. The 2021 drive will run through November 30, when drop-off boxes will be collected and their contents sorted by size and age. Empty Bowls to benefit Marion-Polk food share Empty Bowls, the Willamette Art Center’s annual fundraising sale ben- efitting Marion-Polk Food Share is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20. The one-day sale will be in Cascade Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, featur- ing handcrafted pottery, wood turned bowls and wood carved crafts from local artisans. The sales starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. brainfood ANSWERS sudoku crossword “The sale is a great opportunity to help feed those in need and get an early start on holiday shopping,” said Kevin Herzberg, executive director of the Willamette Art Center. Artisans from the pottery studio have teamed up with Willamette Valley Woodturners and Capital Woodcarvers, working all year to make handcrafts for the event. This year’s sale will feature the namesake Empty Bowls, as well as ceramic planters, dishes, vases, mugs and cups, luminaries, platters, pitch- ers and other handmade pottery. The Capitol Woodcarvers have contributed hand carved spoons and the Willamette Valley Woodturners are donating turned wood bowls to the sale. The sale has been moved to Cascade Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds to pro- vide more space for social distancing. COVID protocols and sanitation will be in place, and shoppers should come pre- pared with masks. The Empty Bowls sale first started in Salem in 2007 and has raised approx- imately $20,000 annually to benefit hungry neighbors in Marion and Polk counties. Each dollar raised provides three meals to those in need. “We are grateful for our longstanding partner- ship with Willamette Art Center and are thrilled for the return of Empty Bowls this year,” said Rick Gaupo, president and CEO of Marion Polk Food Share.