News  Essex Probate & Family Continues Five-year Holiday Tradition

Pictured left to right, front row: Probation Officer Monica Arriaza, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Mary McDonough, Probation Case Specialist Melissa Driscoll, and Probation Office Manager Shasmar Bournigal. Back row: Probation Case Specialist Sammi Winawer and Probation Officer Michael Drouin.

This holiday season, Essex Probate & Family Probation staff joined with employees from the Judicial Lobby, Registry, Facilities Maintenance, and Security departments in collecting perishable food items for the local food pantry at Haven for Hunger in Peabody. Peanut butter, pasta, and cereal were among the food items the Essex Probate & Family team collected during what has become a five-year holiday tradition.

“We all enjoy participating in this group effort at Essex Probate & Family Court and are happy that we can come together to help put food on the table of those who are struggling in our community. It has become a tradition for us at Essex Probate & Family Court to help bring food to those who are in need in the communities we serve,” said Patrice O’Brien, Essex P&F Chief Probation Officer. 

The Haven for Hunger Food Pantry provides non-perishable goods, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy items to more than 1,100 families in the Lynnfield, Peabody, and Salem. The food pantry and the community meal program are Haven’s “core hunger-relief programs,” according to the organization’s website.