Local Alexandrians are helping tackle the challenges of the economic crisis by taking care of their own. Give Back Alexandrias Fall Into Giving Goods Drive, hosted at HSBC Bank on November 19th, collected books, toiletries, non-perishable food items, and gift cards to support The Reading Connection and Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center, two safety-net organizations serving Alexandrias most vulnerable.

More than 60 people turned out with bags of books and several hundred pounds of canned food. In addition to the gifts and goods, Give Back Alexandria raised over $1,600 at the event, which is being matched by the Alexandria Community Trust, for a total of $3,200 to help these organizations serve an increasing number of at-risk children, families and senior citizens this winter.

Give Back Alexandria, an initiative of the Alexandria Community Trust (ACT), is focused on giving back to the community in ways that encourage social networking, activism, volunteerism and philanthropy. Our mission is to better educate our community about the human service needs in Alexandria, said Give Back co-chair Allison Erdle, This fall we are ramping it up a notch to do even more. Now, more than ever, people are looking for a way to help. We believe that people can do more when they act together and have a much larger impact on our community and philanthropic giving, especially in these uncertain economic times.

Give Back Alexandria promoted the citys upcoming Buy Alexandria campaign by featuring local designers Molly Miller by Appointment and Queen Bee Designs who donated a percentage of their sales. This holiday season, Give Back Alexandria and the Alexandria Community Trust are encouraging residents to buy locally AND give locally.

To learn more about Give Back Alexandria, visit www.givebackalexandria.org.