Kingsmen Chess Club: Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St. For more information, call John Dould at 978-249-5905 or email aelb@trysb.net or aelb@hotmail.com.
Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. Athol Hospital’s cafeteria.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS): Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Athol Congregational Church.
Personal Care Attendants training Greenfield Community College (GCC) has again received funding from University of Massachusetts Medical School to offer a free, 25-hour training to help interested students enter this field. PCAs help people of all ages with disabilities to live independently by helping them with everyday tasks such as dressing, grooming, housekeeping, shopping, and cooking. An information session will be offered at GCC’s Downtown Center location, 270 Main St., Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. To reserve a seat for the information session, call 413-775-1672.
At the information session, students will learn more about the field and the free training at GCC in November and will have the opportunity to apply for the training. (The training will be Nov. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Community Meal: Stone Soup Cafe. Saturdays at noon at All Souls Church, 399 Main St. (Hope Street entrance). Local, delicious food served. Pay what you can. All welcome.
Vet to Vet: The RECOVER Project and the Recovery Learning Community offer Vet to Vet every Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 74 Federal St. This collaboration is for all veterans, regardless of discharge status to offer support when the civilian world is a challenge. For more information, contact Tim at 413-475-0226.
Food Pantry: Open Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In the basement of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St. Open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
Preschool story time: Fridays, 11 a.m. in the Children’s Room of the Sunderland Public Library. These story and craft times are for children ages 3 to 5 and their families or caregivers. Each story time is about 45 minutes and includes theme-related stories, songs, finger plays and crafts.
Serendipity Shop: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Most items $1. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. 413-665-2890.
Moose program for young children: Great Falls Discovery Center. 2 Avenue A. On Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. “Kidleidoscope Moose” is for children ages 3 to 6.
Connecticut River Watershed Inhabitants for children: Come learn about our neighbors who share our home in the watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center at 2 Avenue A. Siblings and friends welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 413-863-3221, www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The Food Pantry & Thrift Store, hosted by staff and volunteers, is at 96 Fourth St. To reach the pantry, call 413-863-9549. The Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Food Pantry is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Thrift Shop is open to the general public and helps finance its food pantry. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing and linens, free, and additional food to help the victims of a disaster.
Helpful Programs at LifePath: Any plan of care starts with your needs. LifePath at 330 Montague City Road services provide assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to destress with LifePath’s respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program at LifePath allows elders in need to select their own caregiver — perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member — who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, visit: info@lifepathma.org or call 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at lifepathma.org.
Insurance help: SHINE, Serving the Health Insurance needs of Everyone. Do you have Medicare but feel overwhelmed by your options? SHINE counselors are volunteers who provide free unbiased health insurance information, education and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities to help people figure out what their best health insurance options are based on their unique needs. Contact a SHINE at LifePath at 413-773-555 or 978-544-2259. Email info@lifepathma.org and learn more at lifepathma.org.
Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., at the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. Everyone is welcome. For more information: email@racialjusticerising.org.
Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and carergivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information and a Youtube video of the group, go to: www.eventidesigners.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 413-774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 413-774-5828.
Straight Spouse Support: One to one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential help line at 413-625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com locally or at the Straight Spouse Network nationally at www.straightspouse.org.
Counseling Referrals: The Social Work Therapy Referral Service offers free confidential referrals for individual, couple, family and group therapy, matched for specialty, location and insurance. This is a public service of the National Association of Social Workers. Call 800-242-9794.
Help the blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. this is a free two, quick pick up and donations are tax deductible. Proceeds benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts.