ENFIELD — The Enfield Food Shelf has been established in town since 1968. It is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of different food and basic needs for Enfield families who find themselves with a need. They provide weekly grocery-style food assistance and basic needs as donations permit, such as toiletries, cleaning products, clothing and shoes.
SOMERS — With private donations and successful stuff-a-cruiser events, the Somers Holiday Toy Shop is set to be a success this year. The toy drive, organized by Somers Human Services, allows families who need a little extra help this season to come and shop from the collected toys to give to their children.
New York City famously had the Stonewall Inn and Club 82. In Boston, there was Sporters and The Other Side. The history of mid-20th century LGBTQ+ bars and hotspots in these cities has been well documented. But the history of Springfield, which also had a bustling LGBTQ+ nightlife, has largely gone undocumented, according to Anne Wheeler, a Springfield College professor who started The Western Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Oral History Project.
WARE — The union representing educators in Ware recently declared a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Superintendent Michael Lovato at a meeting that quickly devolved into chaos.
SPRINGFIELD — Wellpoint members will continue to have access to Baystate Health’s resources after the health benefits company and healthcare organization reached a new multi-year contract on Dec. 10.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted unanimously to approve a $1.3 million three-year grant from the federal Department of Justice to improve access to treatment and recovery services for homeless people with substance use disorders.