WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Community Chest is making plans to celebrate its centennial anniversary this year. 

 

"We are planning some big celebrations around this milestone," said board President Matt Carter at the nonprofit's 99th annual business meeting on Tuesday morning, unveiling the logo to be used this year "to look back on the history of the community, and to celebrate with all of you and the work that you do over this 100th year."

 

The 100th annual meeting will be held on March 10, 2027, the Community Chest's birthday (there will be cake, he promised) and a gala will be held at the Clark Art Institute on Sept. 25, 2027. 

 

"We're going to try to use this year to highlight the great work that everyone does. It's usually a custom for someone to say, well, we couldn't do this work without you, but you are the work," he said to the gathering at the Williams Inn. "We really exist to support you in doing this work."

 

The local Community Chest supports 19 agencies, awarding $318,500 in allocations, as well as $62,200 in grants in 2025 to local organizations. 

 

thanked the chest's many supporters, including MountainOne for sponsoring the annual Fun Run, Williams College for hosting is Penny Social and Nonprofit Fair.

 

"I'd like to extend that thank you to our local businesses that support all kinds of events for us. They provide prizes for the Penny Social and they do this for many, many organizations and fundraisers," she said. 

 

"We appreciate those donors who are brand new and those who've been giving for 40 or more years, and our database shows that there are people in that category. It's really fantastic. I think loyalty doesn't always get credit it deserves."

 

Treasurer Thomas Cragg gave a rundown on the finances, saying the organization is in very good shape.

 

"The Community Chest is very fortunate to have an endowment that's been supplied to us by past donors, and we use that endowment to help fund the administrative costs of the Community Chest," he said. In addition, we get a generous donation from the Make Peace Foundation every year ... 100 percent of the donors contributions that we receive go to the member agencies, and that is a really helpful thing to say."

 

This year's campaign goal is $325,000, which is at the 93 percent mark, which Cragg said was comfortable, adding, "we have some more months to go, so we are very comfortable that we'll hit our 325."

 

The director of the Milne Library had been scheduled as the keynote speaker, but was unable to attend. Instead, the meeting watched a video from one of its agencies, Berkshire Immigrant Center, which explained the work the center does in supporting immigrants with education, language and the residency and naturalization process. 

 

Netse Lytle, executive director of Wild Oats Market, stepped in at the last moment to talk about the changes happening at the membership grocer and its Community Essentials Initiative which started in June 2020. 

 

"Food insecurity is a subject that's close at heart for me. As I grew up in a low-income family household, my mother was able to utilize some of the services from some of the organizations right in front of me," he said. "At Wild Oats, we're in a unique position where every day we see hundreds of people come through our doors, and with that comes the opportunity not just to sell groceries, but to support the community in meaningful ways."

 

The initiative is a "round up" program, in which shoppers can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar as a donation. Local organizations are selected to receive each month's contributions, including the Williamstown Community Chest. 

 

"At its best, this program has been incredibly effective since its inception. Every penny counts, and it has generated just under $200,000 that is gone directly local organizations," Lytle said. "That's translated into meaningful support for dozens of organizations throughout the Berkshires, we've been able to contribute to food pantries, various community aid organizations, and also youth programs, just to name a few." 

 

The program was bringing in around $3,000 a month, sometimes $4,000, but he's seen the numbers dip more recently. He estimated 50 to 60 percent regularly participate now. People are still generous, he said, but more mindful "of their own financial situations."

 

Lytle said people will give if given the opportunity, and "if there's one takeaway I'd like to leave you with, it's these small actions, repeated consistently, can have a real impact, especially when they're tied to clear immediate needs."

 

As for store, he said there's been some work going on to update the coolers, move things and to watch for a new floor coming in. Organizations that would like to table during some of the special events were encouraged to contact Amy Carey of marketing and membership at marketing@wildoats.coop.

 

During the business meeting, President Matt Carter, Vice President Amy Jeschawitz, Treasurer Tom Cragg and Secretary Gillian Sciacca were re-elected for another term.