Greenfield: Food supply shortages are leaving local food pantry shelves empty, but Greenfield Cooperative Bank President Tony Worden and Merrill Gagne, Founder of Gagne Wealth Management in Greenfield, are working to change that.
Jodi Falk, Director of Rachel’s Table, a food rescue program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, initially contacted Worden and Gagne to help purchase meat to stock local pantry fridges. As a result of their generosity, Rachel’s Table purchased 708lbs of chicken, ground beef, and pork for local pantries to distribute over the holiday season. In addition, Greenfield Cooperative Bank and Rachel’s Table partnered to create a non-perishable food drive to help the Franklin County Community Meals Program, Community Action’s Center for Self-Reliance, Salvation Army Greenfield, and the Stone Soup Café’s Free Store. The Franklin County YMCA joined the team, and the Franklin County community-wide “canned-do” food drive was born.
“Several factors are at work here,” states Jodi Falk, “one, hunger in Massachusetts is double what it was pre-pandemic, moving from 8.2% to 16.4%, two, inflation makes purchasing food challenging for people as well as agencies, and three, there are some supply chain issues that have made the typical avenues where agencies get food a little more complicated. Tony and Merrill stepping up so generously, and also encouraging their businesses to help out, especially before the holidays, makes a huge difference to our community.”
Now, Falk and Jessye Deane, Executive Director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, are calling on other Franklin County businesses and organizations to join the effort.
“The need is great, but our generosity is greater,’ said Deane. “The collaboration between businesses and nonprofits is so uniquely Franklin County. When there’s a need, we all come together to meet it- the responsiveness of Gagne Wealth Management, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, and Rachel’s Table represents the best of Franklin County.”
Rachel’s Table is making it easy for others to get involved, by providing boxes (if needed) and offering donation pick up and delivery. A wish list of non-perishable items can be found either on www.franklincc.org or www.rachelstablepv.org.
Organizations interested in helping or hosting their own food drive can contact Rachel’s Table at 413-733-0084. Individuals can drop off donated goods at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce offices at 79 Old Main Street in Deerfield.
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD WISHLIST
100% juice boxes
Bottled or Canned Beverages
Canned meats
Canned soups
Canned vegetables
Cereal
Chickpea, Lentil, Pea, or other protein snacks
Fruit jerky, 100% juice fruit snacks, Dried fruit
Shelf-stable Milk (any size)
Jerky
Protein Bars
Low sugar/sugar free, gluten free, low sodium, and vegan alternatives
Marinades
Nuts
Oats
Other Grains- Brown Rice, Quinoa, etc.
Pastas- elbow macaroni, spaghetti, egg noodles, etc. Could also use gluten free or bean pastas!
Peanut Butter
Root vegetables or squash
Spaghetti Sauce
Tuna or Chicken Salad pouches or lunch kits
Veggie Straws, Root Chips, or other dehydrated vegetables
CONTACT:
Jodi Falk, PhD, Director, Rachel’s Table
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 413-733-0084
Jessye Deane, Executive Director, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., cell phone: 413-824-9307