The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received a $50,000 general operating grant from Point32Health Foundation to support its work of increasing access to local, affordable, nutritious food.
This grant is one of 31 new community investments totaling nearly $3 million from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Care Partners of Connecticut. The grants support community-led solutions to advance healthier communities and equity in aging in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
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Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Erin Aiello was awarded with Dakin Humane Society recognition for her outstanding work on behalf of animals.
Accompanied by Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, Aiello received her award at a reception at the society in Springfield.
In 2023, Aiello led the charge to create an Animal Protection Task Force in the Northwestern District to strengthen and better coordinate the work of animal welfare professionals in Hampshire and Franklin counties by offering support and free training.
Individuals are nominated across multiple Humane Award categories with a panel of judges selecting the winners. The panel chose Aiello as recipient of the Frances M. Wells Award, given to an individual for notable contributions to the health and welfare of animals.
Aiello has been a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit for five years. Previously, she worked in the Plymouth County and Bristol County District Attorney’s offices.
In 2023, she was honored for her work advocating for animal safety by the Animal Control Officers Association
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The Dowd Insurance Agencies in Holyoke have announced the acquisition of third-generation insurance agency Lonergan & Thomas Inc. in Bennington, Vermont.
The Dowd Agencies has operated under continuous family ownership for more than 125 years and five generations. Serving clients across Vermont and New York, Lonergan & Thomas has been family owned and operated for more than 65 years.
Lonergan & Thomas will retain all the agency’s employees and, for at least the next two years, its name.
The Dowd Agencies has seven locations employing 75 people across the region. In addition to personal and commercial insurance, they launched Dowd Financial Services in 2009 to provide employee benefits including group and individual health, life and disability. In 2020, they started Dowd Wealth Management to offer equity-based product options such as retirement plans and investments along with individual financial planning.
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Freedom Credit Union’s annual campaign for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts was extended over three months this summer, raising enough to cover the cost of more than 10,000 meals.
Freedom Credit Union collected donations of cash, nonperishable food and personal care items at all its branches, raising a total of more than $3,350. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide three meals. In addition, food donations weighed in at nearly 1,435 pounds, and were delivered to the Gray House, a member organization benefiting from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. That amounts to another 1,195 meals.
Every month, Freedom Credit Union collects donations for a different charity. This month, people can make contributions at any branch through Oct. 31 to support Rays of Hope in its fight against breast cancer.
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A coalition of community stakeholders are hosting an event Oct. 21 to match Holyoke suppliers with Holyoke buyers. The goal is to bring together the City’s local and diverse suppliers (women, minorities, veterans, economically disadvantaged) with Holyoke buyers, providing more revenue opportunities to Holyoke’s businesses.
“EmPower Local: Greater Holyoke Supplier Diversity Showcase,” will be held Monday, Oct. 21, at Holyoke Community College’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, 303 Homestead Avenue; Holyoke with registration beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) on-hand to explain how to receive one-on-one coaching. Certified vendors will share background on the SDO process and benefits, while buyers will speak directly with local vendors on key requirements for upcoming procurement opportunities. Local vendors who attend will receive coaching to assist them through the upcoming procurement process.
The event is an opportunity to connect with local vendors, learn about getting government contracts, and meet other small businesses.
All businesses are welcome at no charge. Registration is encouraged.
