METHUEN — The family of a fallen Marine gathered with the family of a soldier now fighting in Afghanistan to collect care packages for troops this week.

"They're going to be amazed when they get all the stuff from home, like Cracker Jacks — all the stuff they can't get over there," said Diane Curtis, mother of Army Pfc. Kyle Desroche, 27, of Methuen.

The goods will go to Desroche's 220-person unit in Afghanistan, which is running low on food and water, Curtis said.

The family of 21-year-old Marine Pfc. Eric Currier, who was killed by sniper fire in Afghanistan on Feb. 17, organized the drive in cooperation with New England Caring for Our Military.

People donated things like peanuts, beef jerky and cracker jacks — enough to fill about 750 care packages, said Jim Sereigo Wareing, founding director of New England Caring For Our Military.

The packages were assembled Monday at the Senior Activity Center.

Companies donated food and students from Marsh Grammar School and Tufts University submitted letters to the troops. Children drew pictures and made cards for the soldiers, and about 65 people volunteered to help pack the goods, Sereigo Wareing said.

Both Currier's and Desroche's families were on hand. Currier's mother, Helen Boudreau, called the support "overwhelming."

"Even the seniors here are great," she said.

Eric Currier lived in Londonderry, N.H., at the time of his death. He lived in Methuen before that and attended Marsh Grammar School.

Boudreau said she read some of the letters to the soldiers, and the young writers said they are proud of the troops.

Desroche is due home Dec. 5, his mother said.

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