MELROSE, MA — Melrose’s annual backpack and college provide drive set data final week, delivering 80 backpacks and provides to the Melrose Public Faculties, in response to an announcement on Tuesday from the town.

The backpack drive is organized by Edward Jones Monetary Advisor and Metropolis Council President Chris Cinella in cooperation with the Melrose Mayor’s Workplace.

The drive launched earlier this summer time, with group members invited to drop college provides and backpacks off at Cinella’s downtown Melrose workplace. This system dates again to 2010.

“After I first began this program, we acquired sufficient provides to fill a field or two,” Cinella stated in a press release on Tuesday. “For the previous few years, we’ve collected the equal of 130 backpacks stuffed with college provides, throughout all grade ranges.”

“The necessity is nice, and it continues to develop, and the aftermath of the pandemic, mixed with inflation, makes it tough for some households to buy what their kids want for the upcoming college yr,” Cinella continued.

Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur thanked Cinella in his personal feedback this week.

“All kids deserve a good likelihood at college success,” Brodeur stated. “A part of that success hinges on ensuring each scholar has the provides they want.”

Provides collected via this backpack drive have been distributed to Melrose faculties. Faculties will deal with distribution to particular person households.