PV Financial Group partners with Rachel’s Table

SPRINGFIELD — Pioneer Valley Financial Group has partnered with Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts by donating $10,000 in support of the organization’s mission to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste throughout the region.

Rachel’s Table works to address food insecurity by collecting surplus food and redistributing it to those in need, while also offering educational programs. Through food rescue, gleaning initiatives, gardening and cooking education, the organization helps individuals and families build skills, resilience and access to nutritious food.

“Support like this helps ensure our neighbors can grow food, build resilience and nourish their communities for years to come,” Jodi Falk, executive director of Rachel’s Table, said in a statement.

The two organizations have already begun working together to identify ways to support the mission based on team members’ skills and interests. Early discussions have focused on the various locations Rachel’s Table serves and how Pioneer Valley Financial Group can best contribute to these ongoing efforts.

“Their story is so compelling, and they give back to the community in a truly unique way,” Karen Nogueira, partner and director of client relations at Pioneer Valley Financial Group, said in a statement. “Both PV Financial Group and Rachel’s Table have come so far since their beginnings, and there really is no better feeling than doing good for those around us.”

Applications for Fred W. Wells Trust scholarships due March 20

Graduate and undergraduate students residing in the Franklin County municipalities of Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, Northfield, Rowe and Shelburne may apply for scholarship assistance through Fred W. Wells Trust. The deadline to apply is March 20.

Health and agriculture-related entities may also apply for grants through the trust. In last year’s award cycle, $271,520 was designated toward academic scholarships, $51,481 was awarded in health grants and $17,160 was distributed in agricultural awards.

Through his will, longtime Greenfield resident and businessman Fred W. Wells made provision for scholarship and grant awards. Established in 1946, his trust sought to aid students in obtaining higher education; assist with the care of the sick and aged, particularly in rural areas; and help with the advancement of agriculture.

Awards are based on guidelines established by the trust. Student applicants or their parents must have resided in one of the listed towns for at least two years prior to the application date. Those pursuing agricultural or mechanical fields are especially encouraged to apply.

Applications are available at the 16 eligible town offices, high school guidance offices and town libraries, as well as at Franklin County branches of the Greenfield Savings Bank. Digital applications can be downloaded at wellstrustscholarship.com.

Franklin District Medical Society offering scholarships

The Franklin District Medical Society, the local chapter of the Massachusetts Medical Society, has announced that scholarship applications are available for medical students. 

The Percy W. Wadman M.D. Scholarship is awarded to medical students based on merit and financial need. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500 and are awarded annually.

The following criteria must be met for an individual to be considered:

  • At least one parent or guardian must live in Franklin County.
  • A letter of matriculation must be submitted from the medical school the individual is attending.
  • A copy of the letter of recommendation from the undergraduate school to the medical school must be submitted.

Recipients will be chosen by the Executive Committee. The deadline to apply is April 30 and successful applicants will be notified by the end of September.

To apply, visit massmed.org/districts, or to receive an application, contact the Massachusetts Medical Society West Central Regional Office by phone at 800-322-2303, ext. 7715 or by email at wcro@mms.org.

Local students honored for academic excellence at Fitchburg State University

FITCHBURG — Numerous students from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region have been named to the dean’s list or the president’s list at Fitchburg State University for the fall semester.

A student is named to the dean’s list by attaining an average grade point average of 3.20 or higher for the semester while attending the university full-time. A student is named to the president’s list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters.

Local students named to the dean’s list are: Briana L. Chagnon, Sydney A. Gauvin, Honnah A. Griffith, Jason M. Howard, Lillian J. Maxwell, Tabitha L. Membrino, Ninochka Y. Mojica Melendez, Germeine Osei Kwakye, Bruno S. Sanchez, Jared T. Sanville, Aiden G. Truehart, Thea Wysocki and Anna M. Wysocki, all of Athol; Elizabeth E. Rice of Bernardston; Emily A. Labelle of Erving; Jessica Tricolici of Gill; Ali Ahmad Asif and Samantha S. Murray, both of Greenfield; Robyn E. Bousquet, Nick T. Ringwood, Justin D. Dediego, Maddison L. Lloyd, Liam P. Lucas-Mullen and Jessica Omundsen, all of Orange; Ashley M. McAllister and Olivia R. Narkevicius, both of Phillipston; Ryan D. Darling of Royalston; Sierra J. Warren and Benjamin M. Zaranek, both of South Deerfield; and Nicholas Johnson and Dylan D. Rogers, both of Turners Falls.

Local students named to the president’s list are: Andrew J. Robinson of Athol; Kole S. Broderick of Gill; Peter W. Elliott and Nia R. Manderson-Matheson, both of Petersham; and Srichakrika Gudimella of Sunderland.

Women’s Fund distributes $130K in grants

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts has awarded $130,000 in Community Resilience grants this year to 17 organizations serving women, girls and gender-diverse people across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. 

The Women’s Fund distributed the grants to organizations providing essential support in response to the needs of vulnerable communities in western Massachusetts. The awards were directed to nonprofits working in priority areas such as domestic violence prevention and recovery, immigration, trans justice and proximate leadership movement building.

This streamlined, rapid-response grant cycle bypassed the standard application process and was made possible by the Point32Health Foundation. Funding from the foundation is elevating Women’s Fund grantmaking to support community-centered approaches addressing social, racial and health inequities.

“Many organizations leading essential community resilience work lack the time or staff capacity for lengthy applications,” Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez, CEO of the Women’s Fund, said in a statement. “This grant cycle reflects our commitment to gender equity, the power of collective action and standing with others to advance gender equity.” 

Grant recipients for this funding round include: 413 Cares, Alianza DV Services, All Inclusive Support Services, Ascentria Care Alliance, Berkshire Dream Center, Bridge (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education), Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, Parent Villages, the Resilience Center of Franklin County, Roca Inc., Safe Passage, the Springfield Housing Authority, Tapestry Health, The Gray House, Transhealth, Translate Gender and YWCA of Western Massachusetts. 

To donate to the Women’s Fund, visit mywomensfund.org/give-now.