It Takes a Village, Dr. Martin Wohl, and Greenfield Savings Bank celebrated

NORTHAMPTON—United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region held its annual meeting online last week, offering two awards in partnership with the Daily Hampshire Gazette and three awards from the United Way alone.

The United Way’s Kay Sheehan Spirit of the Community Award was presented to It Takes a Village, a nonprofit in Huntington. The Community Champion Award went to Dr. Martin Wohl, a dentist from Northampton who is a longtime global and local activist and advocate, and Greenfield Savings Bank was named the 2022 Workplace Champion.

In conjunction with the Daily Hampshire Gazette, United Way honored Robin Bialecki, executive director of the Easthampton Community Center, as the 2022 Person of the Year, and Lilly Fellows, of Orange, was named the Young Community Leader.

“Our annual meeting is always a wonderful opportunity for us to express gratitude to our partner agencies, donors, volunteers, and the community at large, and we are honored to also be able to present awards to activists in the community who offer so much support and ask for nothing in return,” said Geoff Naunheim, United Way’s interim executive director.

Before offering the awards during the lunchtime Zoom meeting, outgoing Executive Director John Bidwell gave a brief overview of the year in review, and Naunheim offered a look ahead.

Bidwell talked about the highlights and efficiencies of the recent merger between the Franklin and Hampshire county United Ways and said the increased need brought on the agency by the pandemic may be beginning to ease. “That doesn’t mean our work is done,” he said. “Agencies continue to face shortages and continue to scramble to find donations, items, and volunteers. The needs have not abated.”

Naunheim gave an overview of upcoming fundraising campaigns and recognitions.

Claire Higgins, executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley, presented the Kay Sheehan Spirit of the Community Award to It Takes a Village, a United Way partner agency that encourages and supports parents and caregivers in developing their own postpartum networks, decreasing the isolation that is common in rural areas, and improving connection to communities.

The agency also provides family resource kits containing safety supplies and information, provides families with specialized car seat loans for premature infants, and it operates a Home Visit Program and The Village Closet in Huntington, this year’s winner of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network’s Nonprofit Excellence Award in the Small Nonprofit category. 

In the past two years, largely due to the pandemic, It Takes a Village saw a dramatic increase in need as families ran into COVID-19-related challenges due to missed work and lack of childcare.

“The school site housing The Village Closet program in Cummington was shut down,” Higgins said. “Within a matter of days, they transformed the program into a delivery-only model that focused on their most high-risk families. The first month of this new model resulted in over 80 deliveries to homebound and hospitalized clients. That number was double the total number of deliveries in 2019.”

The Community Champion Award, presented to a local individual or group that contributes to the United Way mission and creates positive, lasting change in Franklin and/or Hampshire counties, was presented to Dr. Martin Wohl by his daughter, Dr. Carina Wohl. 

Carina told meeting attendees that her father’s long history of service began in Washington, DC, in 1975, when he co-founded the Georgetown University School of Dentistry Children’s Dental Education Program. Two years later, Marty Wohl was commissioned as the founding dental director for the National Health Service Corps at Hope Medical-Dental Center in Estancia, New Mexico, where he worked for three years.

In 1981, Wohl and his wife, Marisa Labozetta, moved to the Valley, and Wohl was the founding dental director of the Worthington Health Center, which became the Hilltown Community Health Center. Later, Marty started the Wohl Family Dentistry in Northampton.

Wohl has led dental missions in Ecuador, served as adjunct clinical instructor and consultant for six years at the Dental Hygiene and Sciences Department of Springfield Technical Community College, led the Valley District Dental Society as chair, and he has been involved for two decades with United Way’s dental campaign.

“It is no surprise that Dad’s community support extends to other local organizations,” Carina Wohl said. “He is co-founder and endowment chair of the Northampton Education Foundation Endowment. He advises Grow Food Northampton, Center for New Americans, and Abundance Farm as well as a member of Local Roots Care, a giving group especially concerning sustainable food supply. In 2007, Wohl was given the Northampton Community Enrichment Award.”

Molly Mead, a United Way board member, presented the Workplace Champion award for running an exemplary United Way workplace campaign to Greenfield Savings Bank.

A longtime supporter of United Way, Greenfield Savings Bank has continually placed employees on United Way boards and committees and donated over $600,000 in the past decade. 

The bank made a generous gift of $10,000 to match the first 100 donors of $100 in June for the United Way’s 2022 $100,000 in Our 100th Year Campaign.

“These gifts are crucial, but giving back to the community is much more than cutting checks for Greenfield Savings Bank,” Mead said. “The bank shows up. It is common to see bank staff at events across the community. They are visible. They ask questions. They listen. They help.”

To learn more about United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, its partners and mission, visit uw-fh.org.

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Local artist makes $76,000 bequest and anonymous donor gifts $100,000 to the nonprofit serving Franklin and Hampshire counties

NORTHAMPTON—United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region recently accepted two major gifts totaling $176,000, enhancing the power the organization has to impact the lives of people in need across Western Mass.

A $76,000 bequest was arranged by the late Hale Johnson, an artist from Colrain who passed away in April, and an anonymous donor gifted $100,000.

“We are thrilled with these incredibly generous donations and the fact that they come so closely together is also meaningful,” Donor Relations Manager Holly Martineau said. “Gifts of this magnitude allow United Way to reach more people and transform more lives. All gifts, in all amounts, help us support people living without ample means, and gifts of this magnitude give us even more power for change. The power of these two gifts alone will impact many for years to come.”

Johnson and his wife of 55 years, Lorraine Johnson, who passed away in 2016, were community supporters of organizations such as the Colrain Fire and Rescue, Dakin Animal Shelter, and the Franklin Land Trust. In tribute to his late wife, Johnson made a sizable donation to the Greenfield Public Library Foundation in 2020, as Lorraine Johnson was a longtime member of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.

Lorraine Johnson was an avid reader, the founder of two floral businesses, and the founder of the Foundation for Fiber Arts in Amherst.

Hale Johnson’s paintings capture the countryside of the Valley as well as coastal Maine and Northwestern England. Done in the American Realist tradition, his work is often compared to that of Andrew Wyeth and Eric Sloan. Johnson was known to be perceptive, compassionate, and generous throughout his life.

The donor of the anonymous $100,000 gift lives in Franklin County.

“We are grateful to these generous donors, and we will respect and honor their legacies and stewardship,” Martineau said, noting the announcement of the two donations offers the United Way the opportunity to educate people in the Valley about the importance of giving and the various ways to donate.

Martineau said all gifts to United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Region benefit local people with real needs.

She said donations come to the organization through many avenues, including corporate pledges and individual gifts made on the Donate tab at uw-fh.org or those mailed to the organization.

Gifts can also be made through wills, estate plans, and other disbursements.

Individuals can name United Way as a beneficiary in their will, make an outright gift of cash or appreciated stock or real estate, name United Way as the beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy, or establish qualified charitable distributions through their investments or IRAs.

A $230,000 bequest received in 2005 from the late Frederick Ames was one that United Way leaders say changed the future of the organization—as well as the futures of many people in need who have been supported since as a result.

The gift from Ames, an active community supporter, eliminated the need for United Way to operate from a line of credit, providing a financial foundation that allowed the agency to focus more on services.

“United Way still relies heavily on the generosity of our neighbors, so that we might assist more neighbors,” Martineau said. “We welcome gifts of any size, and we acknowledge that major gifts continue to give us the longterm security and strength we need to remain a committed presence in Franklin and Hampshire counties.”

To learn more about United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Region or to make a gift, visit uw-fh.org.

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Assistance across the country, and at home, has increased exponentially since 2019

NORTHAMPTON—United Ways work year-round to help people who are vulnerable, and in the past year, meeting increased needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has made agencies across the world far busier and even more relevant. 

United Way of Hampshire County regularly reports to United Way Worldwide, including its own efforts related to COVID. In meeting the needs of an additional, estimated 5,000 people in Hampshire County in the past year, the agency expanded its summer diaper drive into a year-long effort, rallied 300 volunteers for COVID-related tasks, and fielded 380 percent more calls for help via the 2-1-1 emergency line. 

“United Way has always fought for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community,” said John Bidwell, executive director of the Hampshire County agency. “In particular, that means we focus on the thorniest issues related to poverty and near poverty. Too many of our neighbors have to decide between diapers and food, or medicine or gas for our car. Things that most of us don’t think twice about. As the pandemic continues, so does our critical work helping the most vulnerable in these tough times.”

Bidwell said increased support for the agency would allow it to continue to provide a higher level of help. To make a donation, visit https://www.uwhampshire.org/give.

In the region

In a more typical year, United Way of Hampshire County provides support that touches roughly 20,000 lives. With the financial devastation wrought by COVID, the agency has reached an estimated 5,000 additional people, greatly ramping up the assistance it provides. It has:

• Responded to 4,930 calls for help to the 2-1-1 emergency line over the past year, up from 1,297 in 2019, with top needs reported as rent assistance and childcare.
• Expanded the summer diaper drive into a year-long effort, increasing diaper donations by 250 percent and offering busy partner agencies relief in knowing they can relax their own diaper-gathering.
• Rallied roughly 300 volunteers for COVID-specific efforts, including preparing and running shelters, delivering food, and making hats and masks.
• Collected and dispersed a high volume of donated items for the homeless, including tents, jackets, hats, gloves, food, chairs, water bottles, hand-washing stations, hand sanitizer, and masks.
• Provided logistical and strategic support, such as in opening shelters in Amherst and Northampton as well as supporting a recovery center in Ware. 

Each year, United Way of Hampshire County provides funding in three-year grant commitments to its partner agencies with direction that the funds must be spent in one of three specific categories: Children, Youth, and Families; Economic Security; and Health and Safety. 

“We continue providing support to 35 programs across Hampshire County,” Bidwell said, adding, “This year, we have unrestricted funding, allowing the partners to use the funds in the ways they need during COVID. This flexibility has been critical for them in responding to increased needs.”

Supporting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion 

The COVID-19 crisis has corresponded with a rising awareness of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion—referred to as (JEDI) issues. As a result, United Way of Hampshire County created a standing JEDI committee, was involved with the crafting of several racial solidarity statements for nonprofits and has helped underwrite JEDI trainings for nonprofits through the Council of Service Agencies (COSA) and Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

Assists across the globe

United Way Worldwide has also seen exponential demand for help. “United Way is the largest nonprofit in the world, and the scope of what the organization has been able to do has been huge,” Bidwell said. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit one year ago, United Way has been working overtime to help communities respond, recover, reimagine, and rebuild.”

The United Way network has raised and distributed more than $1 billion and helped more than 27 million people cope with the impact on their lives and livelihoods. 

“The human response has been heartening,” Bidwell said. “The COVID-crisis helps us remember that we are all part of a larger community.” 

One supporter of United Way Worldwide’s efforts is Amanda Gorman, America’s youth poet laureate who captivated many in the recent Superbowl and during President Biden’s inauguration. Gorman wrote a poem for United Way last year, titled “Live United,” to motivate people during dark times. 

Said Bidwell, “Her words elevate the importance of taking care of each other. She captures the promise, possibility, and potential of galvanizing the caring power of communities. Amanda’s clarion call ‘to be hope-sighted’ is uplifting.”

To read the poem in its entirety, visit https://www.uwhampshire.org/news. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit https://www.uwhampshire.org/.

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I continue to help United Way of Hampshire County raise awareness about the work it does in funding 34 programs that deliver 21,687 acts of service per year to people in need in Hampshire County in Massachusetts. Over 250 volunteers give over 5,000 hours of their time. Recently, I wrote the following blog for United Way to help it recruit volunteers to staff a shelter in Northampton, Massachusetts. 

United Way of Hampshire County is eagerly seeking volunteers to assist with various tasks related to running a newly opened shelter for the homeless in downtown Northampton. Leaders ask that you bring your heart and hands—and if you are inspired, also your creativity.

This, because you may be doing everything from setting up cots to serving coffee and imagining activities that shelter guests can take part in.

Last year, United Way helped the city of Northampton to find dozens of people to help set up and also operate a shelter at Northampton High School, which was closed at the time. This year, the shelter is at First Churches of Northampton. 

Operated by ServiceNet and supported by the city of Northampton, this year’s location opened on Dec. 4, 2020. The need for volunteers is great again this year. As Loren Davine, of Easthampton, volunteer coordinator, explains it, the pandemic is pulling longtime volunteers in many directions, and many older adults who normally volunteer cannot do so because they are at-risk.

Last year, United Way recruited 86 volunteers, two of whom worked every shift, for six to eight hours, for two months in the winter.

Loren said that early on last year, volunteers helped organize and distribute supplies that were donated. They put up signage relative to COVID-19 protocols and distributed meals that were donated by the Hampshire County House of Corrections, Smith College, and some local businesses. 

One volunteer wanted to do more than serve coffee in the hallway. And this is where creativity comes in, as The Kind Cafe was born. She created a designated coffeehouse in the cafeteria and served up hot cocoa, mochas, and pastries to guests.

“After a few weeks, our volunteers started connecting with the guests,” Loren says, noting the shelter was at capacity last year with 55 guests on any given day. “What started as a coffee cart became a whole café downstairs. It felt like you were in a coffee shop.”

“The volunteers offered something special, instead of basic survival. They were really able to humanize the experience and connect with people and address the need.”

Over the winter, the compassion—and the inventiveness—grew. As guests began to feel cooped up, volunteers responded by creating activities and events—such as a poetry slam, movie nights, and special, hot Sunday breakfasts.

“They made pancakes, waffles, eggs,” Loren says. “One volunteer offered a craft night. She brought in supplies and facilitated a project. Many of them didn’t just work their shift. They got involved.” 

United Way is proud that its efforts produced such innovation and compassion. In addition to finding volunteers, the assist in the spring and earlier this winter included sourcing donated clothing, water stations, water bottles, face masks, and chairs. The agency has also worked with the town of Amherst and Craig’s Doors to identify and secure University Motor Lodge as additional housing for those experiencing homelessness. 

The work of United Way is always important. It is often pressing. And it is so rewarding. Get involved—for your own sake!

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Pandemic pulls longtime volunteers elsewhere, so need is great

NORTHAMPTON—United Way of Hampshire County is eagerly seeking volunteers to assist with various tasks related to running a newly opened shelter for the homeless in downtown Northampton. 

Operated by ServiceNet and supported by the city of Northampton, the shelter is at First Churches of Northampton. It opened on Dec. 4, and the need for volunteers is great as the pandemic is pulling longtime volunteers in other directions. Volunteers will do everything from setting up cots to serving coffee and imagining activities that shelter guests can take part in.

“We were very successful in helping to find shelter volunteers last year,” said John Bidwell, executive director of United Way of Hampshire County. “We hope area residents will partner with us again this year and sign up to help.”

To volunteer, visit http://www.northamptonma.gov/FormCenter/Health-Department-18/Volunteer-Submission-Form-for-Emergency–135.

Last year, United Way helped the city of Northampton to find dozens of people to help set up and also operate a shelter at Northampton High School, which was closed at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loren Davine, of Easthampton, volunteer coordinator, explained that the pandemic is pulling longtime volunteers in many directions, and many older adults who normally volunteer cannot do so because they are at-risk.

Last year, United Way recruited 86 volunteers, two of whom worked every shift, for six to eight hours, for two months in the winter.

Davine said that early on last year, volunteers helped to organize and distribute supplies that were donated. They put up signage relative to COVID-19 protocols and distributed meals that were donated by the Hampshire County House of Corrections, Smith College, and some local businesses. 

“One volunteer wanted to do more than serve coffee in the hallway,” she said. And this is where creativity came in, as The Kind Cafe was born. “She created a designated coffeehouse in the cafeteria and served up hot cocoa, mochas, and pastries to guests.

“After a few weeks, our volunteers started connecting with the guests,” Davine added, noting the shelter was at capacity last year with 55 guests on any given day. “What started as a coffee cart became a whole café downstairs. It felt like you were in a coffee shop.”

Over the winter, volunteers’ compassion and inventiveness grew, Davine said. As guests began to feel cooped up, volunteers responded by creating activities and events—such as a poetry slam, movie nights, and special, hot Sunday breakfasts.

“They made pancakes, waffles, eggs,” Davine said. “One volunteer offered a craft night. She brought in supplies and facilitated a project. Many of them didn’t just work their shift. They got involved.” 

Bidwell said, “We are proud that our efforts produced such innovation and compassion for the shelter residents.” 

In addition to finding volunteers, Bidwell noted that the assist in the spring and now has included sourcing donated clothing, water stations, water bottles, face masks, and chairs. 

“We’ve also worked with the town of Amherst and Craig’s Doors to identify and secure University Motor Lodge as additional housing for those experiencing homelessness,” he said. “We helped work out the logistics, meeting coordination, and communications.”

For more information, contact Loren at lorendavine@gmail.com.

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In past years, I have written the stories that appear in United Way of Hampshire County’s annual campaign report. This year, the agency is telling its tales in blog form to raise awareness. United Way of Hampshire County funds 34 programs that deliver 21,687 acts of service per year. Over 250 volunteers give over 5,000 hours of their time. I am proud to be able to help spread the word about this trusted, important organization. What follows is a recent blog I penned.

There is a deep need to get diapers into the hands of parents and onto the bottoms of newborns and toddlers. 

People cannot use food stamps or support from WIC to purchase diapers, and let’s face it, they are not a luxury item, even though they come with a steep price. Diapers can cost up to 50 cents apiece—or $4 or $5 per day—and that is more than some families can manage without making difficult choices, such as whether to buy diapers or their child’s next meal. 

More than an economic issue, the lack of affordable diapers is a health matter for infants, as they are exposed to more health risks without frequent, clean changes. The problem also poses mental health dangers: Stressed out parents raise stressed out children. 

Barbara Black, formerly the early childhood coordinator for Northampton Public Schools, is passionate about meeting the need for affordable diapers, and she came to United Way of Hampshire County five years ago to encourage us to start a diaper drive. In that first year, we gathered roughly 33,000 diapers to give away to parents. We later teamed with Amherst Survival Center to fundraise and provide diapers through annual drives.

The demand continued to exceed our supplies, though, as it did in Franklin County, where the United Way had established a diaper bank and was donating 6,000 to 10,000 diapers per month to parents, continuously fundraising to replenish.

Now, all involved individuals and organizations have banded together. Bolstered by a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, we are collaborating with the United Way of Franklin County on a single United Way Diaper Bank that is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. We provide 14 partner agencies with diapers to disperse to parents.

In July, the new bank distributed 9,100 diapers to families in need. We are thrilled with the program’s success and relieved to be able to meet the need. As we explore a merger with United Way of Franklin County, we are excited to have a model program that so well showcases the success and growth we can achieve together. 

We have worked in unison with United Way of Franklin County for decades. A merger will better serve the region through shared programs like the diaper bank, increased capacities like with fundraising, and allow new efficiencies, such as grant processing, which we’ve already begun to meld. 

The diaper bank was the first and most defined collaboration to date, and it was made possible in March through a $35,000 grant from the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. As the pandemic cost people their jobs, buying diapers became more out of reach for some and out of reach for the first time for others. Need increased quite a bit.

We are excited that the grant funding helped us purchase just over 190,000 diapers, which we received at a discounted price of 18 cents per because of our new membership in the National Diaper Bank. 

Parents who need affordable diapers don’t need to worry about where they will get them. Through the new diaper bank, diapers are available at Community Action’s Family Center, Franklin County Community Meals Program’s Orange Food Pantry, The Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, Montague Catholic Social Ministries, Leyden Woods, It Takes a Village, The Children’s Closet in North Leverett, Greenfield Community College’s Food Pantry, the Good Neighbors Food Pantry in Charlemont and the West County Food Pantry in Shelburne Falls, Amherst Survival Center, Easthampton Community Center, and Jubilee Diaper Ministry.

At least for now, our regional United Ways don’t need to worry about where the funding will come from to provide. The grant, the partnership, and the diaper bank membership offer us all a huge, collective sigh of relief. 

State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, who led the Amherst Survival Center for many years and was a critical part of the diaper drive efforts in Hampshire County, is now working to meet diaper need on a larger scale.

With Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, she has filed a bill that, if passed, would create a new fund offering grants to nonprofits that distribute free diapers. The trio hopes that an initial, one-year pilot program could provide funds for up to 12 organizations in the state. 

While this kind of effort will also provide relief, we know the need will continue, and we will need to assess it, and fundraise, continually. And you can help.

Funds can be earmarked for the diaper bank, and we also accept in-kind donations throughout the year. Please contact our office before dropping off as our hours have changed due to COVID-19. 

Click here to make a gift or learn more. 

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Donations of clean clothing, outerwear, blankets and sleeping bags, and other winter-warming merchandise are sought

NORTHAMPTON—United Way of Hampshire County and Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH) are collaborating to assist area shelters in stocking up on much-needed items for winter as the weather turns cold and snow has fallen.

John Bidwell, executive director of United Way, and Joanne Marqusee, president and CEO of CDH, both stressed the greater needs faced by those who are homeless at this time when COVID-19 remains a threat. 

They stressed that the donations are not luxury items yet materials needed to protect peoples’ health and safety.

Items should be new or gently used and clean, and delivered in a plastic or paper bag. The organizations specifically seek donations of:

• Jeans
• Warm shirts
• Outerwear such as coats, jackets, and parkas 
• Foot and hand warmers
• Sleeping bags and blankets
• Socks
• Hats
• Quarters for drying cloths at a laundromat
• Large trash bags for use within the shelter

Items can be placed in a designated container at CDH’s North Entrance.

“With winter and ongoing economic challenges, we are very concerned with a rise in homelessness,” said Bidwell. “Because the cold is coming on quickly, and the region doesn’t seem to have enough shelter, it is important that we get basic supplies to those who are homeless. It goes beyond human decency. Making these gifts could be a matter of life and death.”

He added, “We are proud to work with CDH on collecting these donations.”

Marqusee said, “We know our health is—in part—determined by social and economic opportunities. This time of year presents many hazards for people who are less fortunate, specifically those who are homeless in our community. Factor in the COVID-19 pandemic—and decreased capacity at area shelters—and we realize just how vulnerable people are.”

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United Way of Hampshire County using new Diaper Bank to wipe away diaper need, one change at a time

NORTHAMPTON—United Way of Hampshire County, together with United Way of Franklin County, has donated tens of thousands of diapers to parents in need in the first months of its new Diaper Bank program. 

John Bidwell, executive director of the Hampshire County agency, said the program is a huge success, and need continues to increase as COVID-19 holds a tight grip on the region. 

“There is a deep need to get diapers into the hands of parents and onto the bottoms of newborns and toddlers,” Bidwell said. “Diapers are going faster than we anticipated.”

Bolstered by a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the two United Ways collaborated last spring to create a single, regional United Way Diaper Bank that is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. The program provides 16 organizations with diapers to disperse to parents.

This summer, the new bank distributed roughly 10,000 diapers per month to families in need from the bank, which was launched with nearly 200,000 diapers in hand. 

“We are really excited about the expansion and being able to provide more diapers to local families,” said Cheyanne Gracia, who manages the diaper bank.

She explained that parents cannot use food stamps or support from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to purchase diapers, which cost about 50 cents apiece—or $4 or $5 per day. “That is more than some families can manage without making difficult choices, such as whether to buy diapers or their child’s next meal,” Bidwell said. 

Barbara Black, formerly the early childhood coordinator for Northampton Public Schools, said meeting diaper needs is more than an economic issue. “The lack of affordable diapers is a health matter for infants, as they are exposed to more health risks without frequent, clean changes,” she said, noting the problem also poses mental health dangers: Stressed out parents raise stressed out children. 

Black is passionate about meeting the need for affordable diapers, and she came to United Way of Hampshire County five years ago to encourage the agency to start a diaper drive. In that first year, roughly 33,000 diapers were gathered and donated to parents. “We later teamed with Amherst Survival Center to fundraise and provide diapers through annual drives,” Black said.

The demand continued to exceed supplies, however, as it did in Franklin County, where the United Way had established a diaper bank and was donating 6,000 to 10,000 diapers per month to parents, continuously fundraising to replenish.

With the two United Ways considering a merger, the leaders banded together to create the new diaper bank and register it as part of the national organization. “A merger will better serve the region through shared programs like the diaper bank, increased capacities with fundraising, and it will allow new efficiencies, such as grant processing, which we’ve already begun to meld,” Bidwell said. 

The diaper bank was the first and most defined collaboration to date, and it was made possible in March through a $35,000 grant from the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. As the pandemic cost people their jobs, buying diapers became more out of reach for some and out of reach for the first time for others. 

The grant funding allowed the purchase of just over 190,000 diapers, which were received at a discounted price of 18 cents per because of the membership in the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). 

Diaper partner organizations are: Community Action’s Family Center, Franklin County Community Meals Program’s Orange Food Pantry, The Center for Self- Reliance Food Pantry, Montague Catholic Social Ministries, Leyden Woods, It Takes a Village, The Children’s Closet in North Leverett, Greenfield Community College’s Food Pantry, the Good Neighbors Food Pantry in Charlemont and the West County Food Pantry in Shelburne Falls, Amherst Survival Center, Easthampton Community Center,  Jubilee Diaper Ministry, WIC, Northampton Area Pediatrics, and the ParentChild+ Program at the Northampton Public Schools.

“The grant funding and membership with NDBN allows us to pause and really focus on our mission of ending diaper need,” Gracia said, noting that, with need increasing, she is not sure how long the supplies will hold. “Our goal is to supply diapers to our partners as needed for as long as we can.”

State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, who led the Amherst Survival Center for many years and was a critical part of the diaper drive efforts in Hampshire County, is now working to meet diaper need on a larger scale.

With Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, she has filed a bill that, if passed, would create a new fund offering grants to nonprofits that distribute free diapers. The trio hopes that an initial, one-year pilot program could provide funds for up to 12 organizations in the state. 

Visit https://www.uw-fc.org/diaper-bank to make a gift or learn more.

The post Diaper Need Increases as Pandemic Widens appeared first on Beetle Press.

In past years, I have written the stories that appear in United Way of Hampshire County’s annual campaign report. This year, the agency is telling its tales in blog form to raise awareness. United Way of Hampshire County funds 34 programs that deliver 21,687 acts of service per year. Over 250 volunteers give over 5,000 hours of their time. I am proud to be able to help spread the word about this trusted, important organization. What follows is a recent blog I penned.

There is a deep need to get diapers into the hands of parents and onto the bottoms of newborns and toddlers. 

People cannot use food stamps or support from WIC to purchase diapers, and let’s face it, they are not a luxury item, even though they come with a steep price. Diapers can cost up to 50 cents apiece—or $4 or $5 per day—and that is more than some families can manage without making difficult choices, such as whether to buy diapers or their child’s next meal. 

More than an economic issue, the lack of affordable diapers is a health matter for infants, as they are exposed to more health risks without frequent, clean changes. The problem also poses mental health dangers: Stressed out parents raise stressed out children. 

Barbara Black, formerly the early childhood coordinator for Northampton Public Schools, is passionate about meeting the need for affordable diapers, and she came to United Way of Hampshire County five years ago to encourage us to start a diaper drive. In that first year, we gathered roughly 33,000 diapers to give away to parents. We later teamed with Amherst Survival Center to fundraise and provide diapers through annual drives.

The demand continued to exceed our supplies, though, as it did in Franklin County, where the United Way had established a diaper bank and was donating 6,000 to 10,000 diapers per month to parents, continuously fundraising to replenish.

Now, all involved individuals and organizations have banded together. Bolstered by a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, we are collaborating with the United Way of Franklin County on a single United Way Diaper Bank that is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. We provide 14 partner agencies with diapers to disperse to parents.

In July, the new bank distributed 9,100 diapers to families in need. We are thrilled with the program’s success and relieved to be able to meet the need. As we explore a merger with United Way of Franklin County, we are excited to have a model program that so well showcases the success and growth we can achieve together. 

We have worked in unison with United Way of Franklin County for decades. A merger will better serve the region through shared programs like the diaper bank, increased capacities like with fundraising, and allow new efficiencies, such as grant processing, which we’ve already begun to meld. 

The diaper bank was the first and most defined collaboration to date, and it was made possible in March through a $35,000 grant from the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. As the pandemic cost people their jobs, buying diapers became more out of reach for some and out of reach for the first time for others. Need increased quite a bit.

We are excited that the grant funding helped us purchase just over 190,000 diapers, which we received at a discounted price of 18 cents per because of our new membership in the National Diaper Bank. 

Parents who need affordable diapers don’t need to worry about where they will get them. Through the new diaper bank, diapers are available at Community Action’s Family Center, Franklin County Community Meals Program’s Orange Food Pantry, The Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, Montague Catholic Social Ministries, Leyden Woods, It Takes a Village,  The Children’s Closet in North Leverett, Greenfield Community College’s Food Pantry, The Good Neighbors Food Pantry in Charlemont and The West County Food Pantry in Shelburne Falls, Amherst Survival Center, Easthampton Community Center, and Jubilee Diaper Ministry.

At least for now, our regional United Ways don’t need to worry about where the funding will come from to provide. The grant, the partnership, and the diaper bank membership offer us all a huge, collective sigh of relief. 

State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, who led the Amherst Survival Center for many years and was a critical part of the diaper drive efforts in Hampshire County, is now working to meet diaper need on a larger scale.

With Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, she has filed a bill that, if passed, would create a new fund offering grants to nonprofits that distribute free diapers. The trio hopes that an initial, one-year pilot program could provide funds for up to 12 organizations in the state. 

While this kind of effort will also provide relief, we know the need will continue, and we will need to assess it, and fundraise, continually. And you can help.

Funds can be earmarked for the diaper bank, and we also accept in-kind donations throughout the year. Please contact our office before dropping off as our hours have changed due to COVID-19. 

Click here to make a gift or learn more. 

The post Helping a Client Raise Awareness appeared first on Beetle Press.

As I launched my career as a journalist over 30 years ago, the part of the work that made me most anxious was interviewing people, asking questions. I was painfully shy back then and had also yet to understand that good interviews form the basis for good stories, and good stories educate, entertain, and inspire.

In my work today, I see interviewing people as a privilege. For 30, 60 or 90 minutes, I have the unique opportunity to sit with perfect strangers and ask them deeply personal questions about their lives. I have heard stories of love and loss, ingenuity, luck, perseverance, need, and transformation.

It is those stories of change, in which people move from difficulty to stability, that I find most rewarding, and those stories come through in my work with all kinds of clients, from those in the for-profit sector, such as Florence Bank or Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, to nonprofits such as Glenmeadow and United Way.

This summer, I was honored to be asked to tell the stories that would be held in the Campaign Report 2018 for United Way of Hampshire County, which brings advocates for social justice together to bring about real, long-lasting change in our region.

In August, I interviewed Melissa Jensen of Montgomery and Sage Inglis of Easthampton, who have each been served by United Way partners and each have a story of hope.

Melissa’s compromised health had led to financial woes for her family of four, and her two children also have serious health diagnoses. Over the past eight years, every member of her family has been served in multiple ways by United Way of Hampshire County’s partner, the Hilltown Community Health Center.

Staff helped Melissa access disability payments, as well as parenting education and a wide range of health services for her and her husband. When Melissa was recovering from various operations, the center sent someone to her home to help with chores. Rides were also provided.

“They’ve helped in so many ways,” Melissa says. “I really don’t know what I would have done without the center. I feel safe and confident, going to talk to someone at the community center, knowing no one is judging me. Staff are there to help, and they care, and they want everyone to be happy.”

Sage was the single mother of four children under 8 in June 2016, when she headed to Easthampton from Maine as the hopeful candidate for a job here. Upon arrival, she found the home she’d rented was caught in a long-term probate snag, forcing her to move into a friend’s house. Sage slept on the living room sofa, her children on the floor.

“It felt like a crisis,” says Sage, who was able to find a landlord to rent property to a single mom with no job after several weeks. She was also later hired for the job she moved here to hold.

That first year in the Valley was difficult for Sage, though. The Easthampton Community Center, funded in part by United Way, offered everything from referrals to area professionals to donations of food and clothing and karate classes for her children.

“In the dozens of times I’ve been there, the center never failed to be helpful,” says Sage, who now lives with her new husband, Dan, and their children in a home in Easthampton.

Sage told me her story as I sat with her at her kitchen table; her son nibbled on Goldfish as we talked. I saw that Sage is absolutely awed to be stable, comfortable, happy.

In her gratitude, she gives to organizations that served her when she was in need. “I’m trying to pay it forward,” says Sage.

Note: Photo of Sage Inglis by Jim Gipe / Pivot Media in Florence.

The post Privileged to Have a Window into So Many Worlds appeared first on Beetle Press.