New England Simon Centers Launch Back-To-School Clothing Drive With Cradles To Crayons

NASHUA, NH — New England shoppers will have a chance to help children get ready for school during a regional clothing drive at participating Simon Centers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The back-to-school effort, held in collaboration with Cradles to Crayons, runs from Aug. 1 through Sept. 7.

At each participating property, shoppers are being asked to donate a new outfit for a child in need. Donors should look for a large yellow school bus display, choose a tag, shop for the clothing listed there, and return the donation to the location named on the tag.

All donated products will be sent to Cradles to Crayons for distribution. The org is a Boston-based nonprofit founded in 2002 to combat childhood poverty. The organization has expanded in Massachusetts and beyond with a mission of providing everyday essentials for children from birth to age 12.

In New Hampshire, participating locations are The Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, and Merrimack Premium Outlets in Merrimack.

In Massachusetts, the drive will be held at Auburn Mall in Auburn, Burlington Mall in Burlington, Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, Northshore Mall in Peabody, South Shore Plaza in Braintree, The Shops at Chestnut Hill in Chestnut Hill, and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Wrentham.

The displays will be set up in designated spots inside each center.

Auburn Mall's display will be near the Dining Pavilion, Burlington Mall's will be on Level 1 across from Legal Sea Foods, and Cape Cod Mall's will be near Banter by Piercing Pagoda. At Northshore Mall, the display will be in front of Hannoush Jewelers, while South Shore Plaza's will be near Uniqlo. At The Shops at Chestnut Hill, donations can be brought to the Mall Management Office between Uniqlo and Bloomingdale's Home. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets will accept donations at the Mall Management Office next to the West Elm Outlet or at the Welcome Center. In New Hampshire, Rockingham Park's display will be at the Mall Management Office near Zales, Pheasant Lane Mall's will be on the Upper Level near Target, and Merrimack Premium Outlets will use a purple bin in the Food Court.

More information about donating is available at cradlestocrayons.org.