For the past 25 years, all the branches of the Briggs Lawrence County Library will have a tree available for people to donate mittens, gloves, scarves, hats and non-perishable food items.

“This is an opportunity for patrons to help people in need,” Joe Jenkins, Briggs’ director, said. “All of the items will go to food and clothing pantries.”

The Ironton and Symmes Valley branches will send items to the Ironton City Welfare Mission, the Chesapeake and Proctorville branches will send items to the Community Mission Outreach at the Chesapeake Community Center and the South Point branch will send to the Nazarene Church food pantry as well as Michael’s Grace Place food pantry.

The mitten tree starts Monday and lasts through Dec. 13.

“For each item that is brought in for the tree, $1 will be taken off of library fines people may have,” Jenkins said. “As long as the items are brought back to the library and are not lost, the fines will be cleared.”

Many groups donate items to the mitten tree and donations are accepted whether there are outstanding fines.

“All of the library branches will donate the items they receive to different community organizations,” Jenkins said. “We want to put the items into the hands of community groups that will help the needy and give back to the community.”