Florence Bank Awarded $150,000 to Local Nonprofits at its 22nd Annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants event
Summary
Florence - Florence Bank awarded $150,000 to 40 area nonprofits through its annual Customers Choice Community Grants Program, through which bank customers cast votes to determine how funds are dispersed.Last year, for our 150th anniversary celebration, we increased the total amount of our Customers Choice grant awards to $150,000 because it drew a nice parallel, and we wanted to continue that level of giving this year, said President and CEO Matt Garrity during a celebration at the Garden House at Look Park on Tuesday, May 14.Garrity handed out checks to 40 nonprofit leaders across the region.For the second year in a row, 13 organizations received $5,000 grants: Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Cancer Connection, Inc. in Northampton, It Takes A Village in Huntington, Friends of the Williamsburg Library, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Florence, Friends of Forbes Library in Northampton, Manna Soup Kitchen in Northampton, Goshen Firefighters Association, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Chicopee, Our Lady of the Hills Parish in Haydenville, Amherst Survival Center in North Amherst, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, and Northampton Survival Center.I appreciate Florence Banks focus on community involvement and its expansion of this program in recent years, said Lev BenEzra, executive director of Amherst Survival Center in North Amherst, which has received a grant annually for many years. We love the approach of bank leaders looking to their customers who are community members in the region to identify meaningful organizations that are highly effective and doing good work. Its an inclusive process and simplifies the process for organizations.Amherst Survival Center is a gathering place for area residents with a focus on food and food security; it provides prepared meals and full grocery shops from its food pantry in addition to a free, walk-in medical clinic, resources for people experiencing homelessness, a resource center and a robust array of community activities ranging from art workshops to healing and mental health to office hours with elected officials.Funds from Florence Bank will support the centers food and nutrition programs, BenEzra said, noting that the need from clients is at record levels. Need is greater than ever before in Amherst Survival Centers history.Like BenEzra, all nonprofit leaders were upbeat and expressed gratitude for Florence Bank at the Customers Choice event, which is traditionally a festive gala.Miriam Kudler-Flam, the communications and marketing manager at Abundance Farm on the campus of Congregation Bnai Israel in Northampton, said her organization received a Customers Choice grant for the first time.The farm is located between Prospect Street and the bike path and has a mission to build a more generous, just and sustainable world by offering earth-based community building experiences that integrate Jewish tradition, regenerative agriculture and the just distribution of food.Abundance Farm, founded 10 years ago, has a partnership with the nearby Northampton Survival Center, inviting the centers clients to visit the farm, harvest food and participate in events, as well as welcoming all visitors from the area to enjoy their produce, land and community.The $2,824 grant from Florence Bank will be used by Abundance Farm for staffing and materials for its Pick-Your-Own Community Harvest program, through which all are welcome, from May through October, to freely pick fruits, vegetables and flowers.Jill Carra, the communications and marketing manager at the Foundation for TJO Animals, which supports the Thomas J. OConner Adoption Center in Springfield, said the bank has supported the foundation for many yearsand thus, the adoption centerbut this is the first year the organization received a grant award.The $2,645 received will go into a general fund to pay for animals medical care and treatment.She said the foundation is committed to the health and welfare of the animals at the shelter. In 2023, roughly 7,168 votes were cast, making 40 nonprofits eligible for a grant.In addition to the nonprofits that received a $5,000 grant, these organizations also received an award at Florence Banks annual Customers Choice gala: BARC, Inc in Belchertown, $4,752; Friends of Northampton Legion Baseball in Northampton, $4,258; Amherst Neighbors, $4,258; Easthampton Community Center, $4,124; Friends of M.N.
Funding
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