Christmas arrived early for six local charities supported by Branford-based Homemaker Thrift Shop. In late November, Homemaker board members gifted each group with $1,000.

Now celebrating it's 40th year, non-profit Homemaker's has, to date, given over $400,000 back to the community. The most recent wave of support shared a total of $6,000 equally among Branford Food Pantry, Community Dining Room, Orchard House Adult Medical Day Care, Branford Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund, Branford Medical Transportation, and Branford Counseling Center's "Basic Needs" program.

A small army of Homemaker volunteers donate their time to help stock inventory contributed by community members and others. Many of the volunteers have been with Homemaker's for 15 to 25 years.

Gift ideas, gadets, great clothes and much more are in stock for holiday shopping at Homemaker's Thrift Shop at 4 Brushy Plain Road in the Brushy Plain Plaza (Unit 115). All proceeds benefit local Branford charitable causes.

The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All  For more information, call (203) 481-5161.