Last Updated on December 8, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Prep Your Vehicle for Safe Winter Travel

(Family Features) While snow may be one of the highlights of winter, wet roads and ice can make for dangerous driving conditions. Cold temperatures and slick roads can wreak havoc on vehicles, making even a short commute across town a hazardous trip.

Before you step into the driver’s seat this winter, pay special attention to the safety of your vehicle and consider these tips from the experts at your local Discount Tire to ensure you’re ready to hit the road.

Install Winter Tires
Built for the cold and designed for better traction in winter conditions when temperatures drop below 45 F, winter tires can provide better traction on slippery, wet and icy roads, which can lead to striking curbs and other objects that scratch, dent and scuff wheels. Changing wheels and tires each season can ensure you have the best traction possible and protect summer or all-season wheels from the harsh effects of snow, ice and road-clearing chemicals like salt.

Keep Traction on Winter Roads
Tread depth determines a vehicle’s safe stopping distance, which is vital during winter weather when all-season tires can take an average of 110 feet to stop at 30 miles per hour compared to 81 feet in the same conditions for winter tires. You can check the tread depth by sticking a penny upside-down in a tread groove – it’s time to replace your tires if President Lincoln’s head is visible.

Check Tire Pressure
Tires lose air due to impacts and pressure of bumps and turns. Colder temperatures can also impact air pressure. For every 10-degree drop in ambient temperature, tires lose one pound of pressure (PSI). At least once a month, especially before long trips, check the pressure in your tires or stop by a Discount Tire location. Low pressure can lead to poor handling and gas mileage, excessive wear and overloading. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle to ensure each tire is filled to the manufacturer’s recommended inflation level and add air as necessary.

Update Your Wiper Blades
In cold and icy winter weather, wiper blades can stiffen and become damaged. While your wiper blades’ lifespan will vary based on where you live and the weather you deal with, experts recommend replacing them every six months. If your wiper blades squeak or leave streaks on your windshield, it’s time to replace them.

Know the Age of Your Tires
The older a tire, the higher its risk for failure. As tires age, the rubber becomes harder and brittle, losing elasticity and strength. Check the DOT number stamped on your tires’ sidewalls to see if it’s time for replacement. If you’re not sure what tires are right for your vehicle, a tool like Treadwell allows you to easily input vehicle information and driving habits to receive a personalized recommendation.

Rotate Tires Often
Regular tire rotations help ensure proper traction. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles, or earlier if uneven wear develops. One easy way to remember: Have your tires rotated every other time you have your oil changed.

Check for a Spare Tire
Many newer vehicles have replaced spare tires with tire inflation kits that include puncture-coating sealants and air compressors or run-flat tires. Check to see what your vehicle has and consider adding a roadside assistance plan in case you experience any issues during inclement weather.

To locate a store near you, or search for winter tires specific to your vehicle and driving habits, visit discounttire.com, where you can save up to 30% on wait times in-store, or use the mobile app.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
Discount Tire

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Turns Spare Change Into Holiday Hope with Feeding America Partnership

When you’re hunting for bargains this holiday season, your spare change could do more than jingle in your pocket—it could put food on a neighbor’s table. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is launching its sixth annual hOLLIEday Caring campaign, partnering with Feeding America® to give shoppers an easy way to fight hunger right at the register. From December 7th through December 24th, customers can round up their purchases to support local food banks in communities where Ollie’s stores operate. It’s a small gesture that adds up fast—over the past five years, these round-ups have generated more than $4 million for families facing food insecurity.

Why This Campaign Matters More Than Ever

Food insecurity isn’t just a holiday problem—it’s a year-round crisis that intensifies when the calendar turns to November and December. Rising costs for food, housing, and healthcare have pushed millions of Americans into impossible choices: pay the electric bill or buy groceries? Fill a prescription or feed the kids? The Feeding America network has responded to this growing need by rescuing more than 4 billion pounds of wholesome food over the past year. But as demand increases, so does the pressure on food banks to keep shelves stocked and families fed. “The holidays can be a particularly challenging period for those in need and the food banks that support them,” the campaign announcement notes. “This is a time when families are forced to choose between food and other necessity items, food banks face rising demand, and families nationwide are turning to the Feeding America network of partner food banks to help make ends meet.”

How Round-Ups Create Real Impact

The beauty of Ollie’s hOLLIEday Caring campaign lies in its simplicity. There’s no complicated donation process, no separate transaction, no guilt-inducing ask at the checkout. Just a quick question: would you like to round up your purchase? That extra 37 cents or 82 cents might not seem like much in the moment, but multiply it across hundreds of thousands of transactions at 613 stores in 34 states, and suddenly you’re talking about meaningful resources for local food banks. “Our hOLLIEday Caring campaign encourages shoppers to turn spare change into meaningful support that puts food on the table for neighbors and creates the kind of real change and hope families need right now,” said Tom Kuypers, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Ollie’s.

A Partnership Built on Community Values

What makes this initiative particularly effective is that donations stay local. The funds raised support Feeding America’s network of partner food banks in the communities where Ollie’s operates, ensuring that your round-up in Pennsylvania helps Pennsylvania families, and your contribution in Arizona supports Arizona neighbors. This localized approach reflects Ollie’s broader commitment to the communities it serves. “At Ollie’s, caring for our associates, customers, and the communities in which they live in is a core value,” Kuypers emphasized. Elizabeth Pettengill, Interim Vice President of Corporate Partners at Feeding America, echoed that sentiment: “We are grateful for partners like Ollie’s who help make our work possible. Every round up at the register supports local food banks in communities across the country, helping to ensure families can bring meals home during the holidays and beyond.”

Beyond the Holidays

While the hOLLIEday Caring campaign runs through Christmas Eve, the need for food assistance doesn’t end when the decorations come down. Food insecurity is a persistent challenge that requires sustained support throughout the year. That’s why partnerships like this one matter—they create awareness, build habits of giving, and demonstrate how easily everyday shoppers can contribute to solutions. When charitable giving is integrated into routine activities like grocery shopping or bargain hunting, it becomes accessible to everyone, not just those with disposable income to spare.

How to Participate

If you’re shopping at Ollie’s between December 7th and December 24th, simply say yes when the cashier asks if you’d like to round up your purchase. That’s it. Your spare change will be directed to Feeding America’s network of local food banks, helping families in your community access the food they need. And if Ollie’s isn’t part of your regular shopping routine, consider how you might support local food banks in other ways—whether through direct donations, volunteering, or participating in similar round-up campaigns at other retailers. The holidays remind us that community isn’t just about celebration—it’s about showing up for each other, especially when times are tough. Sometimes that looks like a grand gesture. Sometimes it’s as simple as rounding up to the nearest dollar.

About Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

Ollie’s is a leading off-price retailer specializing in brand name closeout merchandise and excess inventory. With 613 stores across 34 states, the company’s mission is to sell “Good Stuff Cheap®” at prices up to 70% below traditional retailers. Learn more at ollies.com. For more stories about people making a difference in the community, whether it’s locally or globally, visit our Stories of Change section.

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Sources:

• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Press Release via PR Newswire
• Feeding America

Looking for more ways to support families facing food insecurity? Visit your local food bank’s website to learn about donation opportunities, volunteer shifts, and community programs.

Last Updated on December 5, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Reduce, Reuse, Rejoice: 5 Holiday Hacks for Eco-Friendly Celebrations

(Family Features) Holiday celebrations bring joy, laughter and lasting memories – but they can also leave behind a sleigh full of waste. From food scraps and empty bottles to wrapping paper and decorations, the season can leave your home full of items that could be reused or recycled. In fact, household waste increases nearly 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to survey results from the Center for Biological Diversity. That’s a lot of leftovers, garland and glass that could be kept out of landfills. To help you cut down on trash and embrace a joyful, less-waste holiday season, the experts at CalRecycle offer these five holiday hacks to help you save cash and protect the planet.

1. Plan Meals to Waste Less and Save More

• Shop your pantry first to avoid buying what you already have.
• Buy only what you need and prepare recipes based on guest count.
• Choose local ingredients from sources like farmers markets that minimize packaging.
• Send guests home with leftovers in reusable containers or freeze extras for future meals.

2. Recycle Food Scraps

• Not all food can be saved, but it doesn’t have to go in the trash.
• Compost fruit and vegetable trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds and plate scrapings. Trashed food makes climate pollution in landfills. Recycle it in your green bin instead.
• Most California communities now offer green bin composting. Learn what goes in the green bin by visiting the Curb Your Food Scraps page on RecyclingReimaginedCA.com.
• Set out a clearly labeled “food scraps” bin next to your trash, as well as a recycling bin for bottles, cans and other containers so everyone can participate.

3. Eat, Drink and Be Eco-Friendly

• Use reusable plates, cups and utensils instead of disposable options.
• Decorate with items you can use year after year or make compostable decor from natural materials.
• Collect empty wine, liquor, juice or other California Redemption Value (CRV)-eligible containers and cash them in once the party is over.
• Serve water in reusable pitchers or carafes instead of single-use plastic bottles.

4. Give Greener Gifts

• Choose experiences over stuff, like tickets to events, museum or club memberships, registrations for classes or shared adventures.
• Wrap gifts in fabric, scarves or reusable tins. Or use recyclable paper without glitter or foil.
• Personalize presents with homemade crafts, baked goods or services that reduce packaging.
• Prioritize gifts from local and sustainable businesses that are committed to ethical sourcing, minimal packaging and recycled materials.

5. Sort Holiday Waste the Right Way

• After the celebrations, check local recycling rules for how to properly dispose of:
  • Batteries
  • Holiday lights
  • Christmas trees
• Drop off CRV-eligible beverage containers, such as wine and spirit containers, at your nearest recycling site for cash back.
• Donate unwanted gifts or gently used holiday items to local charities or thrift stores.

Make this season joyful and sustainable by finding more tips and recycling locations near you at RecyclingReimaginedCA.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock SOURCE: CalRecycle

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