For decades, Concord Prison Outreach has sponsored the Holiday Gift Bag Project, providing a bag of simple, useful gifts to each incarcerated man in Concord’s two state prisons. Each bag contains toiletries, writing materials, and a greeting card. December is a dark time of year, and being in prison during the holiday season can be challenging. Each gift bag is a reminder that there are people “outside the walls” who think of their incarcerated neighbors and wish them a better future, both while they are in prison and after release.

CPO plays a key role in the broader Department of Correction initiative to ensure that incarcerated people across Massachusetts receive a holiday gift bag. Currently, CPO serves the Northeastern Correctional Center, North Central Correctional Institute, MCI-Framingham, and MCI-Shirley.

Volunteers Needed:

Starting in early October, we will be working at five different churches: First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, Congregational Church of Littleton, First Parish of Sudbury, and First Parish Church of Groton. We need volunteers at each location for various time slots throughout the day. Additionally, volunteers are needed to assist at the storage unit before and after the church assembly events to help load and unload boxes of materials and gift bags.

This is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to get involved and give back this holiday season!

We Are Unable to Accept Product Donations:

Due to the scope of this project and security considerations related to collecting goods from multiple sources and points of contact, we need to centralize the ordering of gift bag supplies. Therefore, we will purchase all items in bulk and are accepting financial donations to cover the expenses.

We Welcome Your Financial Support:

If you would like to contribute to this project through a financial donation, you can do so here or by mailing a check to Concord Prison Outreach, 100 Main Street, Suite 130, Concord, MA 01742. Please include “Holiday Gift Bag” in the memo section of your check.

Supporting Holiday Gift Bags for those in prison is a meaningful act of kindness. Your donation could be the most appreciated gift you give this holiday season.