Business Briefs: June 11, 2021

GREENFIELD — Franklin First Federal Credit Union is sponsoring 12 months of office space at Greenspace CoWork for the Greenfield Business Association (GBA).

The office space includes a private desk, unlimited access to a conference room and open seating, a post office box and storage space, according to a Franklin First press release.

“Coworking promotes productive sharing of space and resources with local professionals and organizations,” said Michelle Dwyer, president and CEO of Franklin First Federal Credit Union. “We’re pleased to provide the Greenfield Business Association the opportunity to utilize this fantastic office space right here in Greenfield.”

“We’re thrilled to have the Greenfield Business Association as a long-term member at Greenspace CoWork,” Jeremy Goldsher and Jeff Sauser, co-founders of Greenspace CoWork, said in the release. “Like Franklin First, we are optimistic about downtown’s future and believe collaborations like this are essential to its success. The Greenfield Business Association represents a crucial resource for Greenfield’s local businesses and we’re excited about the positive impact they bring to downtown and our coworking community.”

Dunkin’ is deploying its Discover Your New Brew Sampling Truck to neighborhoods, community centers and apartment complexes across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties throughout the summer. Those who visit the truck will receive a free hot or iced coffee featuring a rotating lineup of Dunkin’s newest flavors.

“There’s nothing we love more than seeing our loyal guests visit our Dunkin’ restaurants every morning for their daily coffee runs, so we thought we’d return the favor and bring Dunkin’ directly to them for a change,” local Dunkin’ business owner Peter Martins said in a press release. “We hope visits from our Discover Your New Brew Truck will spice up our guests’ daily work-from-home routines, and bring neighborhoods together for a quick community coffee break.”

The Discover Your New Brew Truck’s first appearance happened May 29 in Longmeadow, the release states. Moving forward, patrons can request a visit from the truck by submitting their neighborhood at DiscoverYourNewBrew.com. However, requesting the truck does not guarantee its local appearance.

SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society’s Pet Food Drive, held during the month of April, yielded more than 10,000 pounds of pet food, according to Dakin’s Executive Director Carmine DiCenso.

Pet food was collected at 25 locations across Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, including at Greenfield’s Stop & Shop on the French King Highway and Animal Crackers at 44 Deerfield St.

In previous years, the nonprofit held pet food drives for a one-week period, but an enormous increase in demand for pet food that began during the pandemic led to the decision to make it a month-long effort, according to a Dakin Humane Society press release.

“In a typical year before 2020, we’d provide about 25,000 pounds or so of pet food annually,” said Director of Marketing and Development Stacey Price. “Last year, however, we distributed more than five times that amount. It showed us how much our community needed help, especially as jobs were lost and families with pets faced food insecurity. Some people told us that they never thought they’d need our help. Thankfully we had pet food for them, but we knew we had to expand our food drive plans for 2021 and be able to continue to support those who need it.”

Dakin’s Pet Food Aid Program was created more than 15 years ago to help families facing temporary hardship in feeding their pets, the release explains. The pet food is available at the humane society and is also distributed to area food banks.