Area chambers of commerce partner to Fill the Food Bank

For the past few years, six area chambers of commerce have banded together to address a need that affects the people they serve across Hampden County — food insecurity.

This year, the Greater Westfield, Greater Holyoke, West of the River, ERC5/East of the River, Springfield Regional and Greater Chicopee chambers of commerce are working together again for the third annual Fill the Food Bank event.

The fundraising and networking event, taking place on Tuesday, March 31, benefits the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit which sources, stores and distributes foodstuffs to many of the local food pantries across the four counties of Western Massachusetts. In 2025, the pantries in the Food Bank’s member network served more than 122,000 people.

For every $1 donated, the Food Bank is able to supply three meals to the people who visit food pantries. Jillian Morgan, director of development for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, explained that the Food Bank’s return on investment is possible due to partnerships with the US. Department of Agriculture, the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program and local grocery stores and businesses.

The event is designed to bring together local leaders, businesses and the community. The proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Food Bank. Food donations are also collected at the event. In each of the past two years, the roughly 150 guests have collected close to 2,000 pounds of food ahead of the event. Each year has had a theme regarding what types of foods to collect. The first year was focused on rice and beans. Last year, there was a peanut butter and jelly theme. This year, donations are centered around soup and pasta. Diana M. Szynal, president and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber, said the chambers check with the Food Bank prior to the collection to determine what goods are most needed. Monetary donations are also welcome. Last year’s event raised $10,511 and “several hundred pounds” in food donations were collected, Morgan said.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to network with businesses in Hampden County.” Morgan said. It gives people an opportunity to take a tour of the facility and meet the staff. Morgan said, “We just make it a really fun environment.”

Szynal said it is a relaxed setting with brief remarks. Partners Restaurant & Catering will provide a baked/mashed potato bar. There will also be raffles, which feature prizes donated by members of each chamber. The raffle proceeds will benefit the Food Bank.

“It’s a great opportunity for six chambers to work together,” Szynal said. “All chamber events are networking events, but this is next level because you’re networking with people from other chambers.” Reflecting on the cyclical nature of organizational networks, Szynal said many of the nonprofits supported by the Food Bank are chamber members.

“We do a lot of third-party events throughout the year,” Morgan said. Collectively, these fundraisers contribute about $1 million to the Food Bank’s operating budget. “When other businesses fundraise for the Food Bank. It amplifies our success. We’re taking advantage of their network,” Morgan said, “so we’re not always going to the same people” for donations.

Morgan said food insecurity continues to grow.

Szynal shared a similar sentiment, “Things are getting so expensive for people, people who may not normally find themselves coming up short.”

Citing the rising cost of living, Szynal said the number of people using the Food Bank now is equal to or surpasses figures from the coronavirus pandemic. She said the Food Bank is bracing itself for even more users in summer 2026 when federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program take effect and policy changes make it more difficult to apply.

Szynal thanked the sponsors of the event: Baystate Health, Country Bank, People’s Bank, Canopy Management Group, GoNetSpeed and All States Materials Group. “They step up. They want to support the chambers; they want to support the Food Bank.

To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/fill-the-food-bank.