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Over 600 households to benefit from drive thanks to community collaboration
Ginny’s Helping Hand and St. Leo’s de Paul Food Pantry collected donations from the April Foods Drive. From left to right, Joe Tammaro, Betsy Tammaro and Laura Burns from St. Leo’s; Dave Bergeron from Ginny’s Helping Hand; Brandon Robbins, Ginny’s Helping Hand Executive Director; Crystal Nash from Leominster Credit Union; Judy Thomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact and Missy Teken from LCU.
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently distributed nearly $30,000 worth of food and essentials to local food pantries for their “April Foods Drive.” Running April 1- June 8, the drive provided critical supplies to 12 food pantries throughout North Central Massachusetts and is expected to feed more than 600 households.
The food drive is part of United to Feed North Central Mass, a new initiative run by UWNCM that brings together community partners to fight food insecurity in the region. Using the tagline “Hunger is No Joke,” the April drive collected twice as much worth of food as the initiative’s 2022 holiday food drive.
The drive was a true community effort, as residents donated non-perishable food through boxes hosted at nearly 40 establishments, including banks, grocery stores and libraries. UWNCM also provided family food staples such as peanut butter and oatmeal and worked with Leominster-based non-profit Growing Places to source a variety of fresh produce from local farms, ranging from carrots and potatoes to leafy greens and herbs.
Throughout the drive, volunteers picked up donated food from boxes, and on June 7-8, a dozen local pantries came to UWNCM to load their vans, many of which were completely filled. The drive sought to restock food pantry shelves during a time when many pantries are low on resources as they approach their fiscal year ends.
The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC), a non-profit based in Gardner, was both a participant and recipient in the drive, as they donated leftover Bombas socks from their clothing pantry and also received donated food items.
“This food drive came at a critical time in MVOC’s pantry,” says Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of MVOC. “Our regular suppliers have been low on shelf stable items, and since it’s the last month of the fiscal year we did not have the funds to cover this gap. The United Way stepped up, coordinated with lots of great local partners, and we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our veterans and their families will have what they need.”
As part of the drive, Catania Oils, based in Ayer, ran an internal food drive, collecting more than $550 worth of food donated by employees.
“One of the fundamental principles embedded in Catania Oil’s purpose statement is to make a lasting impact on the community. Our employees consistently demonstrate their willingness to support and uplift the community in various ways,” says Annemarie Abdo, Vice President of Human Resources at Catania Oils. “As a result of the tremendous effort put forth, we were able to collect a substantial amount of food, reinforcing our commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need. Moving forward, we are enthusiastic about further collaborations with the United Way, participating in their upcoming community events. By joining forces, we can continue making a positive difference and fostering a stronger, more vibrant community together.”
UWNCM will launch their next food drive in fall 2023 to provide food for the holiday season. Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact, says, “We are grateful to everyone who helped make our April Foods Drive such a success, including local companies, volunteers and generous donors, and we look forward to continuing to unite community members to feed those in need.”
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
Leominster Credit Union has proudly participated in Children’s Book Month for over 20 years, an annual event sponsored by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.
During the month of April, donations of new and gently used children’s books were accepted at all LCU locations. LCU employees participated in Jeans Days raising funds to purchase books. This year’s event was organized by Rachel Terrell, Executive Assistant, assisted by Linda Taratuta, Elizabeth Bushnell, Mary Marchant, Nicole Florio and Amy Lacouture. LCU members and employees generously donated over 990 books.
Books were distributed to various organizations including; MOC (Child Care and Head Start Center), Sunrise Assisted Living, Fitchburg Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg/ Leominster, Johnny Appleseed School, Clinton Preschool, Elementary and District Resource Center, Wachusett Regional High School Preschool and the Francis Drake School.
About Leominster Credit Union (LCU)
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $850 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24-hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has appropriated $515,055 for Fiscal Year 2024 to continue funding the Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant program.
The Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant aims to help interested students and early childhood educators advance their careers. The mission of the grant program is to help alleviate the early childhood educator shortage and increase the education levels of educators already in the field. Students receive free courses, books, and the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification visit and exam required to earn the CDA credential. English-language tutoring support and one-on-one advising is also provided. The program goal is to service 120 students in Fiscal Year 2024.
“We are thrilled to receive continued funding for this vital program,” stated Grant Coordinator Jonie Latimer-Brady. “We not only have been able to help students earn their CDA credential, but many have continued on to earn their Early Childhood Education certificate.”
Funds will also be used to increase the number of Spanish-speaking instructors and advisors for the new Spanish language college level ECE Certificate program. Students will earn their EEC Lead teacher certification by starting with courses that are taught in Spanish and will take a contextualized college level ESOL course concurrently.
Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale and the Fitchburg Civic Days Committee are proud to announce Raymond and Diane Burnette as the 2023 Fitchburg Civic Days 4th of July Parade Grand Marshalls’ in recognition of their service to the Civic Days Committee for eleven years, and their dedication to the City of Fitchburg.
Living nearly forty years as residents of the City, Ray and Diane have volunteered their time in several capacities throughout the city from volunteering with the Fitchburg High School Cheerleading Squad to working numerous public events. Beginning in 2011, the Burnette’s felt a call to action to help make the Civic Days events return back to the days Diane remembers so vividly as Old Fashioned Days on Main Street. What began as making small improvements turned into a decade-long mission of spreading Fitchburg civic pride through multi-day celebrations of our great city. Enlisting the help of their daughters and local volunteers, Diane and Ray moved Civic Days events back to Main Street, added vendors, created events, and ensured that there was fun to be had for all ages. From dancing in the street to a wrestling ring, street performers, and even creating a beer garden for those old enough to participate – Diane and Ray had one thing in mind: showcasing all that Fitchburg has to offer to her residents and those that reside in surrounding communities. Fitchburg Civic Days events grew from 1,000 participants in 2011 to over 20,000 participants in their decade of volunteerism.
“Through Ray and Diane Burnette’s efforts, Fitchburg Civic Days has grown into a regional tourism event because of their passion and love for our city,” said Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “Fitchburg Civic Days is one of the city’s oldest traditions, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the Burnette’s for making Civic Days the best it has ever been since its inception.”
In recognition of the theme of the parade this year, “Honoring The Past and Inspiring The Future,” resembles the thousands of hours of devotion Ray and Diane provided to make Civic Days the impressive event it has become. Although Civic Days 2022 was their last year as volunteers, Diane and Ray reflect and acknowledge the success of the 4th of July events in Fitchburg would not be possible without the help of their two daughters Kylee and Katie, the Mayor, city departments, Committee Members, volunteers, vendors, and most importantly the Civic Days participants.
The 4th of July Parade starts at 10:00 AM and can be viewed along Summer Street and Main Street to the Upper Common. This year’s Civic Days Parade will be broadcast live on FATV by Travis Condon, Glenn Fossa and Thomas Hughes. The parade will feature community organizations, sports leagues, local businesses, and a variety of local and regional bands. For more information visit: www.fitchburgma.gov/civicdays.
The Profit Finder, Brian Carmody’s expertise on the power of compound growth in business has gained recognition in Brainz Magazine. In his article, “How To Use the Law of Compound Growth To Accelerate Your Business,” he shares valuable strategies for entrepreneurs. Recently, Brian was featured on The Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast, where he discussed compound business growth without paid ads. Along with the podcast episode, Brian has provided captivating video clips. Discover his insights for exponential business growth below.
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Live Music, Food, Drinks, and more are coming to Gardner on June 29th!
The City of Gardner is excited to announce its First Annual Summer Kick-Off Concert. The free admission event will take place on Thursday, June 29th. Live Music will be available 6 to 9 pm on the front lawn of Gardner City Hall, located at 95 Pleasant St., with several food trucks beginning their service at 5:30.
The concert will feature a live performance by the band 7 Day Weekend, who have made a name for themselves throughout New England for their energetic stage presence and crowd-pleasing covers of popular tunes from the 80s to the present. The band says they intend to create a lively atmosphere that will have attendees dancing and singing along. They will be performing on the front steps of Gardner City Hall from 7pm to 9pm.
Prior to 7 Day Weekend taking the stage, Brandon Furtado, a new, upcoming musician will showcase his talents from 6pm to 7pm.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the concert through the participation of several local food trucks, Tavern 13 who will have a full bar, and Moon Hill Brewing, who will be offering beer and wine. City officials said they intend to make the event a fun way to kick off the summer in the city.
“I’m really looking forward to having the community get together to kick off the summer in this new and fun way,” said Mayor Mike Nicholson, “This is sure to be a fun time for everyone who can join.”
Organizers of the event have advised people bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, or anything they’d like to enjoy a fun time on the City Hall front lawn.
For more information about this event or future events in Gardner, visit www.gardner-ma.gov or follow us on Instagram @cityofgardner and Facebook, Gardner City Hall.
Through a competitively awarded Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) grant from the Commonwealth, the city of Fitchburg is collaborating with an economic consultant to better understand the habits, preferences and buying patterns of local residents citywide.
The project aims to generate current data that reflects post-pandemic shopping and dining activities taking place in Fitchburg, with a particular focus on the downtown. Once a series of surveys are completed, consultant Peg Barringer of Fine Point Associates will generate a summary report that analyzes the data and presents findings. This information will be useful to existing Fitchburg businesses who seek to better capitalize on local consumers as customers. It also will be beneficial to incoming new businesses or prospective future ones.
In 2017, Fitchburg first became aware of spending leakage by local consumers to surrounding areas, particularly for dining purchases outside the home, during a yearlong process that led to the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Addressing that leakage by cultivating a stronger dining sector has emerged as an ongoing goal. During the nearly five years since that plan’s approval, the [2020-2022] pandemic period of time proved to represent an unprecedented shift in consumer behaviors. As Fitchburg businesses begin to navigate a post-pandemic landscape, a thorough understanding of local preferences and needs will be quite valuable.
If you are a Fitchburg resident, your input regarding the downtown is an important aspect of this project. By taking just 5 minutes to complete a Fitchburg Resident Survey, your feedback will guide economic development efforts moving forward. The survey can be accessed here – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/downtownfitch.
The city strongly encourages all local residents to participate in this confidential, online survey.
The City of Fitchburg announces the Fitchburg Public Library will complete a robust renovation and expansion in a continuation of the next phase of the city’s redevelopment of the Main Street corridor.
The project is expected to begin later this year and will serve the city in new and traditional ways by providing a more flexible, welcoming, and sustainable facility for people to build a sense of community.
“The Fitchburg Public Library is the centerpiece of Main Street providing free enrichment to our residents for generations,” said Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “This project is ambitious and essential to the future of our city as a learning and innovation hub while drawing people downtown and providing economic, social, and cultural benefits to enhance the quality of life for all in the city.”
“Public libraries are recognized as the most trusted of institutions and are a key resource for enabling people to work and learn more efficiently while narrowing the digital divide by providing essential computer and electronic resources,” said Fitchburg Public Library Executive Director Deborah Hinkle. “The renovations and expansion will create an environment where programming for children, teens, and adults can take place simultaneously in a bright, comfortable, and safe space.”
The project will encompass two major changes, including the renovation of the existing Wallace Building, which was first built in 1967, and the creation of an entirely new and enlarged Youth Library and meeting room wing. The library will offer a Teen Room, a new Community Room to replace the current auditorium, several smaller meeting rooms, a Learning Lab, a Makerspace, improved access to the library collections, various seating areas throughout the building to study and engage, and more accessible, improved parking.
Funding for the $40 million project will be provided through a variety of funds, including a $12.5 million total grant award from the Massachusetts Board of License Commissioners (MBLC) through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Additional funding will come from a combination of the City of Fitchburg’s American Rescue Plan Act funding, which will provide $12 million, and the City of Fitchburg will provide $12 million as part of the city’s capital budget of which the library is included. The final $3.5 million will be provided via an upcoming capital campaign
Grab your notebook and a pencil — this 30 minute long virtual meeting can cover any room, any space, and any interior design questions you may have! (including questions about additions and new builds!)
