LYNNFIELD — “The bare necessities of life will come to you, they’ll come to you” — so says the refrain from the popular 1967 song from the Disney animated movie, “The Jungle Book.”
In the case of the Citizens Inn in Peabody, they are coming thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Lynnfield’s Tower Day School, which is coordinating a Bare Necessities Hygiene Drive from March 1-5.
The drive, in partnership with the Bethlehem School preschool program, Lynnfield Preschool, Huckleberry Hill School and Summer Street School, will benefit the shelters at Citizens Inn, an organization that has worked toward ending homelessness and hunger across the North Shore since 1983.
“We have made philanthropy a greater priority and have successfully executed multiple charity drives this school year,” said Tower Day School Parents Forum President Kate DiPrizio. “Bare Necessities Hygiene Drive is unique because it is a collaborative event. Once again, we chose to donate to Citizens Inn. Toiletry items are the most-needed and requested items behind food. Often hygiene needs are (also) overlooked.”
“Tower Day School has been holding different types of drives for Citizens Inn for a few years now,” said Citizens Inn Senior Development Officer Gianna Langis. “The past few years have been pajama drives. Last fall was a food drive for our pantry, Haven from Hunger. This year, the need in our shelter is personal care items for our clients. It’s wonderful when schools or businesses want to host a drive, and we do receive many in-kind donations throughout the calendar year. Our clients are so appreciative.”
DiPrizio said the following items are in great demand at Citizens: toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant/antiperspirant, soap and body wash, shampoo and hair conditioner, body lotion, razors and shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, new socks and underwear (all sizes), and new reusable face coverings and masks.
Each school is coordinating its donation collection. Tower Day School will have bins inside the building. Parents can drop off items via backpacks or during drop-off and pick-up times.
“Tower Day School families have been amazingly generous, and often arrive with a bag or small box full of items,” DiPrizio said.
Donations will be collected through Friday, March 5. On Saturday the items will be dropped off at the Citizens Inn.
Citizens Inn’s mission is to support everyone with dignity and respect as they live in emergency shelters provided at Citizens Inn Between, Citizens Inn Transition and its affordable housing units at Citizens Inn Homes. It also provides meals to those struggling with food insecurity through the Citizens Inn Haven From Hunger food program. Citizens Inn not only provides safe housing and meals, but it also offers tools to empower families and individuals to find permanent solutions to break the patterns of instability in their lives.
The drives come on the heels of a successful “Fall Fun” trick or treat event at Tower Day last October and three other charitable drives conducted by the school.
In January, the school held a pajama drive for the benefit of La Colaborativa, which is also known as the Chelsea Collaborative.
In December, the school worked with the church to help fulfill the City Mission Boston Wish Lists project.
“We collected canned foods and nonperishables as well as books, socks, toys, clothing, art supplies, and books and blankets and it was incredible,” said Tower Day School Director Leah O’Brien. “I think every one of our 90 students enrolled in the school participated.”
In November, the school again worked with the church, which houses the school. In that instance, Tower conducted a Thanksgiving food drive for the benefit of Citizens’ Haven from Hunger initiative.
“The generosity from Tower Day School families was incredible,” said DiPrizio. “We filled up an entire car full of food items for Thanksgiving. The generosity that we have received overall has been overwhelming. The act of charity is a gift for the giver and the receiver.
“There is great importance in teaching and modeling generosity for our children. Children learn that they are part of a larger community and that everyone in that community is responsible for those around them. By instilling the value of charity as a vital role in their family dynamic, we encourage children to grow up with a healthy sense of compassion, gratitude, and a strong charitable spirit.”
