News  Essex County Juvenile Probation hosts week-long, three-city supply drive as part of the Trial Court’s 4th annual Cultural Appreciation Week

Essex County Juvenile Probation Officer April Anderson is hosting three separate week-long Supply Drives to benefit non-profit agencies in Lynn, Lowell, and Lawrence as part of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s statewide 4th annual Cultural Appreciation Week 2020 (CAW), October 19-23. The agencies include the Mayor's Health Task Force of Lawrence, My Brothers Table in Lynn, and Citizens Inn (Haven for Hunger) in Salem. 

The week-long Cultural Appreciation Week celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in the courts and communities throughout the Commonwealth. This year's theme is "We Rise by Lifting Others, Justice and Culture: Bridging the Gap." In the spirit of the theme, event organizers decided to help those who are struggling during the pandemic and may be experiencing "food insecurity." The pandemic and high unemployment has made it difficult for some families to afford basic necessities such as supplies and food. According to Feeding America, one in seven people may not have access to three healthy meals a day and one in five children in Massachusetts now live in food-insecure households, an 81 percent increase over pre-COVID food insecurity levels. 

Essex County Juvenile Court is among more than 70 state courts, offices, and departments hosting food and supply drives across the Commonwealth. Donation bins will be set up, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Lynn Juvenile Probation Department, 139 Central Avenue Lynn, MA 01901; Lawrence Juvenile Probation Department, 2 Appleton Street Lawrence, MA 01840; and Salem Juvenile Probation Department, 56 Federal Street Rm 1000 Salem, MA 01970. 

The following are the charities and the suggested donations: 

Items for the Mayors Health Task Force of Lawrence may be dropped off at Lawrence Juvenile Court, 2 Appleton Street Lawrence, MA 01840. 

• Diapers & Wipes, specifically Large Sizes 5-6 & Pull-ups 

Items for My Brothers Table of Lynn can be placed in bins at Lynn Juvenile Court, 139 Central Avenue Lynn, MA 01901. 

• Toiletries (travel or regular size) 
• Shampoo / Conditioner 
• Shaving Cream 
• Toothpaste 
• Lotion 
• Deodorant 

Items for Citizens Inn (Haven from Hunger) of Salem may be left in bins at Salem Juvenile Court, 56 Federal Street Rm 1000 Salem, MA 01970. 

Toiletries: 

• Toilet paper 
• Shampoo 
• Bars of Soap 
• Razors 
• Feminine Products