Diaper bank seeks donations as need rises

lowell » Today is the last day of the Lowell Alliance holiday drive to support the diaper bank, which has been seeing greater need caused by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lowell Alliance has run the only yearround diaper bank in the Merrimack Valley for the past 10 years. With the increased need locally due to COVID-19, the diaper bank distributed more than 28,000 diapers between March and November and is currently serving 125 families weekly.

Every donation goes directly toward providing diapers to low-income and struggling families in Lowell and surrounding towns.

Monetary donations can be made at https://holiday-diaper-drive-83123.causevox.com/. Unopened bags of baby wipes and diapers in any size can be dropped off downtown at Gormley’s

Diner, Life Connection Center and Nibbana Cafe. For more details about dropoff locations, contact Clare Fortune-lad at 207-432-0217.

Public library receives federal grant for healthy aging programs

billerica » The Billerica Public Library was awarded a $7,500 federal Library Services and Technology Act grant from the state Board of Library Commissioners that will be used to provide community members with programming and materials about healthy aging.

The Billerica library was one of 40 libraries awarded the “Aging in Place: Keeping Seniors Age 60-70 Connected to the Community” grant in a competitive statewide process.

Community Services and Adult Programming Librarian Lizzie Meier said now couldn’t be a better time for this grant.

“Yes, planning programming and encouraging community during a pandemic is certainly different than PRE-COVID19,” Meier said in a statement. “However, it is more important now than ever to be fostering community, promoting health, and connecting people with resources and each other.”

The library plans to offer two to three virtual programs per month from January through August, kicking off at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 with the program “Should I Stay or Should I Go? Decluttering, Rightsizing and Moving.” Other upcoming programming includes “Mindfulness: Simple Steps, No Cushion Required,” at 7 p.m. Jan.19, and “Immunity for Life” with Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.

All programs are free to the public.

For more information and to register, call Meier at 978-671-0948, ext. 4113, or