In Peabody, Massachusetts, the Northshore Mall has launched a back-to-school clothing drive in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Cradles to Crayons. This initiative aims to support children from birth through age 12 by providing essential clothing items that help them thrive in various aspects of life, including at home and in school. The drive will run throughout August 2023, coinciding with the mall’s participation in Cradles to Crayons’ Giving Bus program.
The Giving Bus program is designed to ensure that children return to school feeling confident and prepared to learn. According to Cradles to Crayons, inadequate clothing can significantly impact a student’s attendance and overall academic performance. To highlight this issue, a large, yellow school bus is prominently displayed inside the Northshore Mall, located across from Tilly’s.
Visitors to the mall can engage with the initiative by selecting tags attached to the bus. Each tag represents a child facing clothing insecurity and includes details such as the child’s gender, age, size, favorite color, and specific clothing requests. Shoppers can choose one or more tags and then purchase clothing items that meet the needs outlined. Once they have completed their shopping, donations, along with the tags, can be left next to the bus display.
The Giving Bus will remain at the Northshore Mall until September 1, 2023, providing an opportunity for community members to make a tangible difference in the lives of local children. For those interested in learning more about Cradles to Crayons and their mission, additional information is available on their website at cradlestocrayons.org.
This collaboration exemplifies the commitment of both the Northshore Mall and Cradles to Crayons to address clothing insecurity among children, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
