FARMINGTON — The University Store at the University of Maine at Farmington and the Franklin County Children’s Task Force have again joined hands to help those in need this holiday season with their annual Holiday Giving Tree.

The giving tree in the University Store offers a chance for those on campus and in the local community to make donations from now until Dec. 21.

Everyone is invited to bring new, unwrapped toys or warm clothing, sizes infant to adult, to the store or to take a tag from the tree to fulfill special requests. Items will be distributed to local families and throughout Franklin County by the Franklin County Children’s Task Force.

As a thank you, donors will receive a 25 percent off coupon to the University Store for each donation, good for most items in the store.

According to Mary Ellen Martin, director of store services at UMF, the University Store has worked with the Franklin County Children’s Task Force on the holiday project for the last several years and sees it as a chance to do something meaningful for local families.

“People in the area are so generous, and this is a great way to reach out to others during the holiday season,” Martin said. “Members of the task force come by to check periodically on the box that holds the clothing and gifts and have to empty it six or seven times during the season to make room for more donations. It’s really heartwarming to see the difference you can make in someone’s holiday.”

The University Store is on the lower level of the UMF Olsen Student Center and is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.