Middlesex Federal Partners with Office Depot and Converse, Inc. to Donate 125 Backpacks to Local Middle and High School Stude

Middlesex Federal partnered with Office Depot to fill 125 backpacks with school supplies to distribute to local students. Converse, Inc. donated the backpacks. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County, RESPOND Inc., and the Somerville Homeless Coalition, distributed them to Medford and Somerville, middle and high school students. Backpacks were also available at the City of Somerville’s Parent Information Center.

Each of the organizations distributing the backpacks provides outreach services to low-income and homeless families within our community. Youth related services offered by these agencies include after school programs, family shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, prevention programs, support groups, and 24-hour hotline services.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County offer after-school programs to youth ages 6 to 18 in Somerville and Medford. “We were so excited to receive these backpacks,” stated Lindsay Smythe, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs. "They're specifically helping our high school age members, a growing population in our Clubs. Community support like this generous donation of backpacks and age-appropriate school supplies from Middlesex Federal Savings makes a huge difference in our ability to help our members succeed in school.”

RESPOND, provides support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. “Thanks to the amazing generosity of so many donors, such as Middlesex Federal Savings, the children in shelter were able to go back to school with new clothes and brand new backpacks filled with all the supplies needed to start school,” said Jasmine Lopez, RESPOND’s Director of Development and Communications.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition annually serves more than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness or hunger. “We are so grateful to Middlesex Federal Savings for the donation of backpacks and school supplies to help the children we serve get off to a good start in school. Education is a key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Kathryn Benjamin, Director of Development, Somerville Homeless Coalition.

This effort was part of Middlesex Federal Saving’s 125th anniversary local giving initiative. In addition to this donation, Middlesex Federal donated 125 toys to Toys for Tots and 125 children’s books to the Somerville Public Library. A full-service community bank headquartered in Davis Square Somerville, Middlesex Federal also has branch offices in Teele Square, Somerville and Medford Square, Medford, as well as a Loan Center located on Highland Avenue in Davis Square. Throughout its growth, Middlesex Federal has catered to the needs of the local community. Commitment to its core values of exceptional customer service, convenience, and value allowed Middlesex Federal to flourish and to expand into residential and commercial lending.

Middlesex Federal can be found in Davis, Teele, and Medford Squares by bike, bus, T, car; online at MiddlesexFederal.com; or on the phone by calling 617-666-4700.

PHOTO CAPTION: Middlesex Federal Savings’ employees fill 125 backpacks with school supplies. Local nonprofit organizations distributed the backpacks to Medford and Somerville middle and high school students. PICTURED Back Row Left to Right: Fran Encalada, Bonny Mello, and Karen Grindrod. Front Row Left to Right: Catherine Kaminer, Elizabeth Farrell, Ron Gauthier, and Linda Dinkel. Missing From Picture: Barbara Sartanowicz