Passing it on

The member-owners of Wild Oats Market have selected Northern Berkshire Habitat For Humanity as the recipient of this quarter's donation from its Pass It On Program. Created in April to coincide with Earth Day, this initiative promotes reusable shopping bags by charging 10 cents per paper bag requested at checkout.

Every three months, these funds are donated to a local organization chosen via an online vote by the store's membership. On Friday, Nov. 15, Northern Berkshire Habitat For Humanity's president, Elisabeth Goodman, visited Wild Oats and received the check for $765.20 from Operations Manager Renate Kopynec. For more information about Wild Oats' Pass It On Program, contact Marketing & Owner Relations Manager Scott Menhinick.

Youth Center aid

Adams Community Bank has contributed $12,500 to help the Youth Center offset the costs of moving into the former Cheshire Elementary School. Adams Community Bank's CFO and the Youth Center Inc.'s Vice President, Andre Charbonneau, noted the new space is a great location for staff and children to enjoy for years to come.

The mission of the Youth Center is to provide community-based educational, recreational and social activities in a safe supportive environment.  To learn more, visit the website.

Hurricane help

Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customers and employees from Sept. 11-22 for American Red Cross disaster relief Hurricane Dorian. Community and employee donations along with additional support from Big Y resulted in a donation of $30,000 which will be donated to both Massachusetts and Connecticut American Red Cross Chapters in support of the ongoing relief efforts in Bahamas and the Southeast United States.

A formal check presentation to the Massachusetts American Red Cross was held on Oct. 25th at the May Street Big Y World Class Market in Springfield. John Menard, Store Director, of Big Y Foods presented the contribution to Erin Ryder, regional manager of Donor Relations, Massachusetts Chapter.