This awful year is almost (almost!) over, and one thing you can do to alleviate the pain is head over to Humphry Slocombe's original Mission location and get yourself a free scoop of ice cream today between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The occasion actually isn't the end of the year, but the eighth anniversary of the ice cream shop, which was opened by former pastry chef Jake Godby and partner Sean Vahey in December 2008. And as Hoodline reports, the owners are encouraging donations to be made to Project Open Hand, in lieu of paying for your ice cream.

Since their opening, Humphry Slocombe has expanded with a second location at the Ferry Building, and their ice cream is served and sold and restaurants and markets all over the Bay Area.

And they continue creating new flavors to add to their quirky repertoire, with this month's features including White Miso Pear, Guinness Gingerbread, and a Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes-themed flavor called Thank You For Being A Friend — it's chocolate cheesecake ice cream with housemade graham cracker and Amarena cherry swirl.

Humphry Slocombe - 2790A Harrison Street at 24th Street