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October 21, 2009

Our view: Berry hosting big food drive in Danvers Sunday

Tuesday the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported job gains in some parts of the state (not here), but acknowledged that the employment picture generally remains dismal.

"Statewide, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate increased from 8.9 percent in August to 9.3 percent in September," the agency noted, and "the seasonally adjusted jobs estimate for September showed 9,200 job losses over the month."

People generally are concerned about their jobs, and many wonder how they will feed their families and keep a roof of their heads this winter.

All of which makes this a particularly appropriate time for Peabody Sen. Fred Berry to be holding his first-ever regional food drive.

For the past quarter-century the Senate majority leader held an annual golf tournament, the proceeds of which would go to various local charities. But this year he decided to make hunger the focus and seek donations of food — and money — to help fill six food pantries in Beverly, Danvers, Salem and Peabody.

The need is great, Berry said, noting that "statistics show one out of three families in Salem and Peabody are struggling to provide meals for their children."

He and other volunteers will be staffing a collection center in the parking lot next to Hollywood Hits on Hutchinson Drive in Danvers this Sunday (Oct. 25) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can help by bringing canned goods, supermarket gift cards, checks or cash.

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