The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is asking community members to donate used items in good condition to be sold at a MAPS Senior Center Yard Sale, which will take place in November 2017 at the organization’s Cambridge office. The yard sale is part of a series of fundraising efforts planned by the health and social services organization to make up for a $25,000 decrease in funding for the MAPS Senior Center for Fiscal Year 2018.

“Our Senior Center is a crucial resource for the many elder community members who come to MAPS on a daily basis,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “We are hopeful that the community will come together to support us and help us keep the Center running effectively, so that we can continue providing recreational and educational activities, social and emotional support, and fighting isolation and other issues that our seniors – the most vulnerable members of our communities – face every day.”

The nonprofit organization is asking community members to donate items in good condition, such as clothes, small pieces of furniture and appliances, lamps, vases and other decorative items, paintings and artwork, jewelry and other pieces. The donations can be dropped off at MAPS’ Cambridge office, located on 1046 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, from 9 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Friday. For more information, please call 617-864-7600.

In addition to the yard sale, where MAPS’ talented seniors will also be selling some of their arts and crafts, MAPS is also planning to host a Tea Party and sell a raffle with exciting prizes.

“Our very talented and creative seniors teach us so much and bring such joy to our Cambridge office every day,” said Julia Evora, MAPS Senior Center Coordinator. “In many cases, this is their second home, and so we are committed to do all that we can to keep providing the essential services they need.”

The MAPS Senior Center, open from Monday to Thursday at the organization’s Cambridge office, welcomes anyone over the age of 60, and provides a daily meal, several activities focusing on mental and physical health, socialization and much more to more than 50 seniors of Brazilian, Portuguese, Cape Verdean and other backgrounds.