SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Council of Churches has teamed with Stewart’s Shops to donate to charitable and youth organizations throughout the area this holiday season.

Annually, the Stewart’s Shops Corporation maintains a budget of $2.25 million to donate money, food or paper products to communities statewide. Between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, Stewart’s collects cash donations from the community in its 328 store locations and matches 100 percent of the total collected at each store before giving it to a nonprofit organization in each stores’ area.

In 2010, the Sherburne store collected $750 and after Stewart’s matched this contribution, a total $1,500 was disbursed to the Sherburne Council of Churches – an association committed to meeting the needs of community youth and various charitable organizations.

“It’s a great campaign because people who can’t make a big donation still have the opportunity to make a donation that impacts the community,” said Tom Mailey of Stewart’s marketing department.

“As long as it’s a nonprofit organization or volunteer group, they will be considered for eligibility,” said Stewart’s Community Support and Donations Coordinator Max Spritzer. “We want to make an impact on neighbors in our own back yard.”