Two Andover congregations, Christ Church and South Church of Central Street collected Thanksgiving meals for Neighbors in Need in Lawrence last month. Significant food drives for the meals included those at St. Roberts, Temple Emanuel Preschool, Shawsheen School, Bancroft Elementary School and West Middle School, all of Andover.
Julie and Tom Childs opened their garage for delivery on Nov. 22, as did Beth and Morgan Kiker. Hundreds of meals were donated through this drive.
Childs Design and Construction delivered the meals to Christ United Methodist Church serving the Latino, Haitian and Guatemalan populations. The Kikers delivered complete turkey dinners to South Congregational Church on South Broadway in Lawrence. There were two other distribution locations in Methuen. Merrimack College, Northern Essex Community College, Bay State Gas, West Parish Church, First Church Congregational, Forest Street Church, Methuen High School, Tenney Grammar School and Timony Grammar School, all in Methuen, also collected dinners. Significant food drives for the meals also included Holy Family Hospital, St Lucy's in Methuen, Staples and Gem-Line, according to organizers. New Balance donated turkeys.
Holiday Concert
A benefit concert of holiday and Christmas music will feature singers the South Side Singers and singers from Christ Church, along with Patrick Kabanda on the Grand Organ.
Kabanda received his bachelor's and master of music degrees from The Juilliard School and was awarded the 2003 William Schuman Prize for outstanding achievement and leadership in music. From 2004 to 2011, he was school organist and music instructor at Phillips Academy in Andover.
Performing: South Side Singers, South Church, Patrick Kabanda
Benefit: Neighbors In Need
Date: Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
Place: Methuen Memorial Music Hall
Tickets: Calling the Neighbors In Need office at 978 685-8321 between 8 a.m. and noon, or email NeighborsInNeed@verizon.net
