by Michele Taranto

Each year, the members of the Women’s Business Network of Norwood (WBN) are both proud and amazed at the generosity of their neighbors through their Annual Mitten/Scarf Drive. Donations continue to grow each year, and WBN is again turning to the local community to fund another successful year of donations. 

Residents are asked again this year to search through those piles and tubs of mittens, gloves, hats, and scarfs to donate and help their neighbors keep warm this winter. 

Residual Covid economic effects and rising inflation rates have left many struggling even more to make ends meet this year. With priorities given to mortgages, rents, gas, heat, and stocking pantries, this year’s event is more important than ever to provide warm accessories and holiday gifts.

The 7th WBN Annual Mitten/Scarf Drive will be held Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. Many thanks to the gracious owners of the following establishments who will host the donation boxes: Norwood Senior Center, 275 Prospect St., Norwood, Murph’s Place, 58 Broadway, Norwood; As Good As It Gets Café, 1210 Prov.-Hgwy. (next to Boston Tavern), Norwood; Brookside Café, 1260 Washington St., S. Norwood; Brickify, 15R Cottage St., Norwood; Clean Remodel LLC, 50 River St., Dedham; Passion Beauty Supply & Salon, 1257 River St., Hyde Park.

The first week in December, all items will be donated to the Norwood Food Pantry and the Home for Little Wanderers Thrift Shop, in Roslindale.

Since its inaugural year, this event has yielded a tremendous response from Norwood community. Many talented neighbors knit and crochet year round in anticipation of the event and others even purchase new items to place in one of the seven bins in Norwood, Dedham, and Hyde Park. Donated items can be slightly worn, handmade, or brand new. According to the Norwood Food Pantry Donations Coordinator, these donations are greatly appreciated and helped many Norwood families keep warm throughout the winter. 

WBN is a local women’s networking group. It has developed a reputation not only as a referral and resource network, but also for contributing to the local community

For more information on WBN, email [email protected], or call 781-799-7068. You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wbnnorwood//

Look for the decorated boxes in the locations listed above! All gently used, new, or handmade mittens, gloves, scarfs, and hats are graciously accepted.