The team that brings you Saranac Thursdays are partnering once again to help those in need this holiday season.

Saranac Brewery and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area officially kicked off their "Fill the Keg" drive on Giving Tuesday. This monetary drive involves something that is important in the brewery and that is the keg!

Kevin Sullivan from Saranac says the idea came from a meeting with United Way to explore options on what to do for Christmas. Sullivan says, "The idea sort of gelled and snowballed in that meeting and it's something that we can do every year going forward."

So what's the idea? The Brewery has cleaned and cut holes at the top of two huge kegs and placed them at their Varick Street Brewery Shop location and their new location at the New Hartford Shopping Center. The hope is that shoppers will place donations inside the keg in any amount possible. "We're always emptying kegs with these guys in the summer, so we're going to try and fill some for the winter and see how it goes," says Sullivan.

F.X. Matt Brewing Company President and COO Fred Matt says, "We're very proud of our longstanding relationship with United Way and humbled to be asked to contribute to all the amazing work they do for our community."

You can donate at either gift shop location. One is located at 830 Varick Street and the other is located at the old Village Toy Shop location at the New Hartford Shopping Center.

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