Florence Bank Helps Ice Out Hunger in the Valley
FLORENCE — For the second consecutive year, Florence Bank has partnered with UMass Sports Properties and the UMass Amherst hockey team to Ice Out Hunger in the region at a time when food insecurity is at a record high. Since October, the bank has awarded $500 grants to food pantries from Springfield to Greenfield at each UMass home game, and before the season ends, 19 nonprofits will have received gifts.
A different food pantry is highlighted during the first intermission of each home game, and a fan is chosen to ride on the Mullins Center’s Zamboni, which has been wrapped with Florence Bank’s branding. Riders are selected randomly after submitting an entry form at umassathletics.com/ride.
These organizations will receive funds from the bank: Amherst Survival Center; Center for Self Reliance/Community Action Pioneer Valley, Greenfield; CHD Not Bread Alone, Amherst; Chesterfield Community Food Cupboard; Easthampton Community Center; Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard; Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, Northampton; Gray House, Springfield; Helping Hands Cupboard/Belchertown United Church of Christ; Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, Chicopee; Manna Soup Kitchen, Northampton; Margaret’s Pantry and Kate’s Kitchen at Providence Ministries, Holyoke; Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley; Neighbors Helping Neighbors, South Hadley; Northampton Survival Center; Open Pantry Community Services, Springfield; Southampton Community Cupboard; Springfield Rescue Mission; and the Parish Cupboard, West Springfield/Agawam/Feeding Hills.
“It’s a great promotion because nonprofits and those they serve benefit, and people at the games enjoy the fun,” said Andrew Stuebner, general manager for UMass Sports Properties, the multi-media rights holder for Massachusetts Athletics. “We very much enjoy taking part in this program with Florence Bank.”
Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity added that “food insecurity continues to be an issue in the communities we serve. Ice Out Hunger helps raise awareness and provides much-needed support for local organizations committed to making a difference. We value the work of area nonprofits, and we’re proud to support the local food pantries in their ongoing efforts to fight against hunger.”
The funds will cover the cost of tens of thousands of meals for people in need in the Valley.
“We are deeply grateful for our longtime partnership with Florence Bank, whose generosity and commitment to community make a lasting impact,” said Lev BenEzra, executive director of the Amherst Survival Center. “The support helps ensure that our neighbors have access to meaningful resources — nutritious meals, fresh groceries, and so much more. Ice Out Hunger is helping us meet record need in our community.”