For the more than 20 years that the Barnes & Noble's at Dartmouth has been opened, they've been doing holiday book drives. For the last several years, it's chosen to support gift to give, a local charity.

GiftsToGive, now it its new location on Acushnet Avenue, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting generosity and eliminating child poverty. CEO and founder Jim Stevens works to promote "tangible philanthropy and big citizenship" among kids by encouraging youth service and philanthropy.

Though it is located at a few other destinations within Massachusetts, New Bedford was determined to be one of the areas of greatest need in the state. At the core of the foundation's mission is the belief that "everyone has a gift to give," even young children. GiftsToGive encourages kids to donate their gently used clothes, toys, books, and things they no longer use, or to volunteer their time at their repurposing center.

"We know that, although the community is very generous in donating things all year long, they rarely get new things, Especially new books and so we feel that that's a very nice thing that our customers do," said Barnes & Noble Community Relations manager Elyse Baggen.

GiftsToGive has been a bit of a hub for local nonprofits schools and other organizations looking to improve the lives of the impoverished, so they've been very important to Barnes & Noble, said Baggen.

Though they set their goal at 1500 books, they fell short at 900 books donated.

"We're delighted to be partnered with them and proud of our customers to that they've been so supportive," Baggen said.

The Barnes & Noble staff is very committed to giving the most that they can to their charities. "We really work hard, asking every customer you know if they would like to donate, said Baggen. "We all donate, too."

GiftsToGive's biggest area of need is for readers from grades four through eight. There are other biggest category it was brand-new readers from ages 0 to 5.

"I always donate Dr. Seuss books," she added. "My first book was 'The Cat in the Hat Comes Back' and I must've read it about a billion times."

Barnes & Noble will continue collecting donations for gift to give through Jan. 1. Books for donations start as low as $3.99.