MIDDLETON — Peabody families are among those helped this holiday season by Community Giving Tree, which collected new kids clothing for its annual Holiday Gift Program.
For the holiday season, donations were collected from local businesses in person and virtually in November to provide something new for hundreds of children.
Kim Goulette, CGT’s executive director, said 2020 will probably go down in history as one of the most challenging years in the organization’s history.
“These are the basic essentials Community Giving Tree is focused on providing this holiday season,” said. “These brand-new items will be given as holiday gifts to children going without, from toddlers toteenagers.”
On Dec. 11, social workers who assist families came to CGT’s warehouse in Middleton to do some free shopping for their youngest clients – children across the North Shore and Merrimack Valley who live below the poverty level.
Working closely with local social workers, CGT ensures donations go directly to those most in need. The organization works to connect people who can help children whose families lack resources or have suffered hardship.
“New gifts for children will offer warmth, joy and dignity this holiday season,” Goulette said.
CGT also helps low-income families in northeastern Massachusetts raise healthy children by providing recycled clothing, baby equipment and other basic necessities.
The organization holds an annual diaper drive, accepting diapers and other essentials, such as rash cream and baby wipes.
Having a necessity like diapers available eases the stress many families encounter over the lack of money and allows them to allocate resources toward bills and groceries.
Every donation helps so “families in need can focus their resources on other necessities, like food and housing,” said Jean Pagliuca, CGT executive director, in an online post.
More than 50 percent of family homes in northeast Massachusetts that CGT helps are considered lower to poor socioeconomic class.
