"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

1. Finance Committee Budget Hearings

The Stoughton Finance Committee will be holding budget hearings on Monday and Wednesday of this week for various town departments.

These are public hearings. The Monday, March 5 hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at Town Hall (Great Hall, third floor).

An agenda is posted in the media gallery.

2. Homework Center at the Library

The Homework Center will be available for students in the Wales French room of the Stoughton Public Library this evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

3. Open House at Elite Health and Fitness

Join Elite Health and Fitness on Central St. in Stoughton for an Open House on Monday, March 5 (until 11 p.m.)

There will be raffles, refreshments, group exercise classes, ask the trainer sessions, ask the nutritonist sessions, and more...

4. Senior Center Activities

• 9 a.m. - Walking Club
• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Tai Chi
• 9 a.m. - Coffee with Karen
• 9:30 a.m. - Vision Group
• 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Line Dancing
• 2 p.m. - 3p.m. - Strength Training
• LUNCH (11:15 p.m.) - Teriyaki Chicken

5. REMINDER: Thursday is Food Pantry Day in Stoughton

Stoughton resident Peg Carbone continues her effort to curb hunger in Stoughton, personally picking up donations for the food pantries every Thursday.

Here's a note from Peg: "I pick up non perishable food and also household items every Thursday, anywhere in Stoughton and deliver them to the food pantry. Please tell your friends and neighbors. One item, one bag or several, and I will pick them up every Thursday."

"The winter months are upon us and they are especially tough months for the folks who shop at the pantries," Carbone continued. "Heating bills make buying good nourishing food difficult or impossible."

Haven't called to arrange a pickup? It's not too late. Call Peg at 508-889-1385 or send an email to peg.carbone@comcast.net.