As the pandemic has taken its toll on county residents, Common Good is expanding its Democratic Economics Toolkit to improve software that will allow it to help communities provide support where it is most needed.
Common Good Operations Director Ivan Ussach said one of the most urgent concerns is how the pandemic has “drastically” increased the number of hungry families throughout Western Massachusetts.
“We hope to help alleviate that with our new ‘Step Up’ fundraising tool,” he said.
Ussach said Common Good gives its members two ways to help. The first is by supporting the Stone Soup Café, Just Roots and other efforts to feed hungry people in Franklin and Hampshire counties by opting in to Common Good’s “Step Up” program and choosing to donate a percentage or dollar amount on every purchase made with their Common Good card. The cards can be used at Atkins Farm Country Market, Foster’s Supermarket, Green Fields Market, Wendell Country Store, Red Fire North, Cushman’s Market and Simple Gifts, as well as a dozen local farms, many local restaurants and dozens of other businesses.
Members can also make a direct donation to any participating nonprofit in seconds on the Common Good website.
“We truly are all in this together, during this crisis and in our life together on this planet,” Common Good Executive Director William Spademan said. “We can thrive as a community using Common Good’s tools for collaboration and mutual support.”
For more information or to sign up for a Common Good card, visit commongood.earth.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.