Melrose Backpack, School Supply Drive Nets Record Number Of Donations

MELROSE, MA — Melrose’s annual backpack and school supply drive set records last week, delivering 80 backpacks and supplies to the Melrose Public Schools, according to an announcement on Tuesday from the city.

The backpack drive is organized by Edward Jones Financial Advisor and City Council President Chris Cinella in cooperation with the Melrose Mayor’s Office.

The drive launched earlier this summer, with community members invited to drop school supplies and backpacks off at Cinella’s downtown Melrose office. The program dates back to 2010.

“When I first started this program, we received enough supplies to fill a box or two,” Cinella said in a statement on Tuesday. “For the last few years, we have collected the equivalent of 130 backpacks filled with school supplies, across all grade levels.”

“The need is great, and it continues to grow, and the aftermath of the pandemic, combined with inflation, makes it difficult for some families to purchase what their children need for the upcoming school year,” Cinella continued.

Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur thanked Cinella in his own comments this week.

“All children deserve a fair chance at school success,” Brodeur said. “Part of that success hinges on making sure every student has the supplies they need.”

Supplies collected through this backpack drive have been distributed to Melrose schools. Schools will handle distribution to individual families.