Business sponsors fuel food distribution program

GREENFIELD — The van transporting food to people across the county continues to be possible thanks to the partnerships, new and old, established between the Franklin County Community Meals Program and businesses.

“Our business partners are a huge part of the foundation of our work,” said Franklin County Community Meals Program Executive Director Rachel Berggren. “We feel very supported by our community, particularly by businesses who care about giving back to the community.”

The Franklin County Community Meals Program transports hundreds of thousands of pounds of food across the county, feeding thousands of people through its four free community meal sites in Greenfield, Orange, Turners Falls and Northfield, as well as Orange Food Pantry and Turners Falls Mobile Food Bank.

In 2021, with a $60,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the nonprofit bought its first refrigerated vehicle. However, with rising operating costs, the nonprofit turned to the business community for support in covering operating expenses like fuel, insurance and general maintenance.

The refrigerated vehicle has allowed the Franklin County Community Meals Program to expand its commitment to food access, developing a delivery program through its Orange Food Pantry to ensure people without transportation and unable to leave their homes can receive fresh food. The program now delivers to more than 50 households every Friday in the Orange and Athol area.

Business sponsors of the transit van include Greenfield Savings Bank, McGovern Automotive Group, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Covestro LLC, Pete’s Tire Barn, Ramon Financial Services and C&S Wholesale Grocers. McGovern is one of the newest business sponsors, following in the stead of Dillon Chevrolet. As the van drives across the county, the logos of these businesses can be seen displayed alongside the program’s bread basket logo.

Berggren noted that transporting food across Franklin County is only possible thanks to the generosity of volunteers donating their time to help get food to people in need.

“We are proud to let the community know we can’t do this alone,” Berggren said. “We are here to build the strength and resources of our community and that requires that we do this together.”

Public schools holding hiring fair

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield School Department will hold a hiring fair on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, located at 1 Arch Place.

The city’s public schools are looking to hire: registered behaviorist technicians, substitute teachers and instructional assistants, bus monitors, an elementary music teacher, two school psychologists, a director of technology, a director of early childhood, a speech and language pathologist, two English language learning teachers, a special education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities, and an assistant director of pupil services.

Don LaCoy to perform at winery

NORTHFIELD — Cameron’s Winery at 1046 Millers Falls Road will host a concert by Don LaCoy on Friday, Jan. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m.

LaCoy plays solo with his acoustic guitar, performing music from the 1960s to present day. Guests can also choose from $15 boxed deli or salad meals. Wine and cider will be available for purchase, as well as nine beers on tap.

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