Downtown businesses are continuing their collection efforts to benefit the Niles Service League one more week.

Beginning on Small Business Saturday, a number of downtown merchants, including those at Bella’s Gifts and Memories, Niles Styles, Olfactory Hue and Bistro and Farmer’s Insurance Agency have been collecting winter clothing items and monetary donations to help the Service League in their collection efforts.

“On Small Business Saturday, we’re encouraging people to shop local and stay local, so we, too, will be giving local,” said Christine Hoffman, owner of Niles Styles.

All monetary donations will be used to purchase more winter items. All items will be distributed to children in need in the Niles and Buchanan areas.

Once the businesses have completed their collection efforts, Brian Williams, the owner of Trailhead Mercantile will match the number of items collected and donate his order to the Service League.

Previously, the downtown merchants have provided similar philanthropic efforts for other Niles service organizations such as the Niles Salvation Army at Ferry Street Resource Center.

“There’s a lot of need out there, and we’re all happy to help,” Hoffman said.