North Andover Coronavirus: Residents Responds To Food Bank Need

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's residents responded enthusiastically to a town request for donations to the food bank, the town said. Community Support Coordinator Deanna Lima said Friday that the bank was in dire need of donations.

By Tuesday, the town received over 1,000 items.

"There are many more drop offs scheduled," Lima said. "We have also matched residents willing to sponsor homebound seniors/veterans with special dietary needs."

Lima noted that residents had made special efforts to meet the new need.

"Some residents have done collections of goods in their neighborhoods and made group donations to the food bank," she said. "Others have called regularly to ask what we are low on in order to purchase exactly what is needed."

"Residents that have utilized the food bank have been humbled by this resource and all the support available in the town.," she added. "The biggest comfort being that it's easily accessible, personal, and without judgment."

Lima had asked for items including pasta, sauce, shelf-stable milk, and those that "would be adequate for a hearty dinner."

"Now, more than ever, social connections matter…North Andover residents are truly concerned for each other and should be praised for such," Lima said. "Additionally, each and every staff member that I encounter on a daily basis in town hall/senior center has been not just a joy to work with, but truly has gone above and beyond the scope of their work to ensure the needs of the community are met."

To find out what is needed, go to northandoverma.gov/coviddonate.

Latest case count

As of Thursday, there are 122 confirmed cases in North Andover. Forty are active, while 75 have recovered and seven residents have died.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.