Here are brief thoughts on recent happenings in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region.
“Giving Tuesday,” the nationwide online platform for making donations to nonprofits, is typically held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 to set aside a day that was all about celebrating the generosity of giving, a great American tradition. Over the years, local organizations have come to count on it for support. It’s only May, but last week, spurred by the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, Giving Tuesday returned for a mid-year opportunity to raise money. As a result, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin raised $1,000, which will be used to buy gas cards and grocery cards for the families the agency serves. “Everyone is struggling right now,” Executive Director Irene Woods said. “Our families need food, diapers and other items.”
Development director Alexis Breiteneicher said Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) raised $2,400 on Giving Tuesday. She said the donations will be used to focus on opening farmers markets and supporting farmers who have switched to online ordering instead of direct sales dudring the pandemic.
The Franklin County Community Meals Program raised about $3,000. “This money will primarily be used for operating expenses,” Executive Director Andrea Leibson said.
With annual fundraisers falling like bowling pins and support from the state likely to take a hit, we encourage you to make a bonus donation directly to your favorite nonprofit to support our community.
Young people bring such boundless optimism and tech savvy to meet challenges that older folks might find daunting. For example, Deerfield Academy student Juliette Lowe, 16, responded to the strain placed on local food banks by the COVID-19 pandemic by starting a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy food.
With $500 contributed by generous donors, Lowe distributed 20 bags of food on April 24 from an empty storefront at 192-200 Main St. in Greenfield. “(Distribution) will be every Friday, so long as I have the donations to keep it going,” she said.
Keeping it simple, Lowe hands out a bag to anyone in need – no questions asked. She even worked out the nutrition information for the contents of each bag. She is also coordinating with community organizations to get bags to seniors who can’t make it to the distribution site. Give this student extra credit! To visit her site: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nobody-goes-hungry
Making its first pandemic-era appearance, the Greenfield Farmers Market “was one for the books,” according to Maria Topitzer, manager and primary grower at Lyonsville Farm in Buckland.
Everyone had to wear masks, of course, and volunteers and organizers ensured all customers maintained at least six feet of distance between one another. Shoppers learned to follow the blue arrows around city hall to where a line formed at the entrance of the market on Court Square.
Alyssa Mielke, a frequent shopper in past years, said the line moved quickly. She said the first market of the year was a little quieter than usual and she missed the food vendors. “I’m happy that it’s still going on.”
This year, with schools and restaurants closed, the farmers market is more important than ever to local growers. It continues Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon next to the Greenfield Common.