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Friday, September 28, 2018
No Child Goes Hungry Peabody Chamber celebrates continues to flourish new 49 Lowell St. location By Christopher Roberson
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ast fall resident Michele Feld and School Committee Member Jarrod Hochman embarked on a campaign to provide backpacks full of food to students who would otherwise go hungry during the weekends. Hochman said Feld discovered that a similar program existed in Florida and wanted to bring it to Peabody. After working with then-Assistant Superintendent of Schools Cara Murtagh, Hochman and Feld discovered that there was certainly a need for such a program in Peabody. “We learned very quickly that there were 120 kids between the Welch and Center [Elementary] schools who would benefit,”said Hochman. In addition to requests for funding and food donations, Hochman said, there was also a need for “gently used” backpacks. Peabody residents answered
the call. “I’d come home every day, and there were backpacks at my front door,” said Hochman, adding that he and Feld also partnered with Haven from Hunger Citizens Inn. He said the program launched with 120 backpacks being distributed every week from October 2017 through March of this year. From March through June, that number climbed to 255 backpacks per week. Hochman said a fleet of approximately 100 volunteers spend “10-12” hours per week filling and delivering backpacks, adding that 250 backpacks were filled on Sept. 13. “We’re expecting that number to get up to 320,” he said. In addition, he said a graband-go option has been added for students at Higgins Middle School and Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. Hochman said he and Feld continue to seek donations. Anyone interested can contact him at 617-281-6494.
Angel in the End Zone
Executive Director Jenna Coccimiglio and Event Manager Maria Terris (center) of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, cut the ribbon to celebrate the Chamber’s new office at 49 Lowell St. Also shown, on the far left, is Councillor-at-Large David Gravel and Mayor Edward Bettencourt. Christopher Feazel, chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors is on the far right. (Photo Courtesy of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce)
By Christopher Roberson
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Junior running back Angel Paulino was a bright spot for the Tanners’ offense during their 7-28 loss to Marblehead last Friday, rushing 85 yards rushing on 15 carries. See story and photos on page 8. (Advocate photo by Dave Sokol)
ity officials and business owners recently gathered to officially recognize the sleek new office of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce at 49 Lowell St. “This is a really special day,” said Executive Director Jenna Coccimiglio during the Chamber’s open house and ribbon-cutting event on Sept. 21, adding that with the move behind them, she and Event Coordinator Maria Terris have returned to the task at hand. “It feels good to be able to focus on more cool stuff.” Coccimiglio said she and Terris are“delighted to have a larger and more modern space while maintaining a presence in the downtown.” “We have plans to utilize our
new office for educational, business mentoring and networking opportunities,” said Coccimiglio. Councillor-at-Large David Gravel said the event was “well attended and nicely done.” He also mentioned his prior familiarity with 49 Lowell St. “My company, GraVoc, used to occupy that building from 1997 until 2006, it was a bit nostalgic for me to walk through it,” he said. “The location is great and I think it will be a real positive for the chamber going forward.” During a prior interview, she said finding new office space was one of her top priorities when she took over as executive director on March 1. “I quickly realized that the space
NEW OFFICE | SEE PAGE 5