By Alana Melanson, amelanson@sentinelandenterprise.com

FITCHBURG -- It's 9 o'clock on a Tuesday morning, and about 70 volunteers are furiously packing nonperishable meals with one goal: the annihilation of one of the nation's top obstacles -- childhood hunger.

The men, women and children gathered inside the Wallace Civic Center will package more than 25,000 meals to be delivered to 13 local food pantries and two nonprofit organizations.

Karin Oliveira, director of United Way Community Builders, which organized yesterday's Hunger Heroes event, said the shelves of food pantries are growing bare, and local food banks are struggling to solicit donations.

"For National Volunteer Week, we wanted to do a project that was meaningful and impactful, so that we could show the power of volunteerism and how you can really show transformative change in our region," Oliveira said.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts purchased 20,000 of the macaroni-and-cheese meals from the national hunger-fighting nonprofit Outreach Inc. The rest were purchased through additional donations from volunteers and other donors, Oliveira said.

"We're packaging mac and cheese today because every kid in America could eat this every night," said Matthew Martin, regional manager of Outreach Inc.'s Kids Care program. "It's the least expensive, most nutritious meal."

He said this macaroni and cheese, which is supplemented with soy protein, contains 21 vitamins and minerals and 11 grams of protein in every serving, making it

about 1,000 times as nutritious as Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  It's also less expensive because it is packaged by volunteers, Martin said, making it possible to feed an average family of five or six for only $1.50. The meals also have a shelf life of two years.

There are an estimated 86,000 hungry people in Worcester County, Martin said, 30,000 of whom are children. Tuesday's event was the biggest United Way project his organization has ever done in the Northeast region.

Volunteers began setting up at 8:30 a.m., and started packaging around 9. By 10:45, they had packaged 18,000 meals and met the 25,740 goal at about 11:15.

Oliveira said all of the meals would be delivered to the food pantries by noon.

"It's always good to be able to give back to support the community and those who are less fortunate than yourself," said Adrienne Edmonds, of Fitchburg.

Angel LeBron, also of Fitchburg, said it was his first time participating in such an event, and it likely won't be his last. He became involved because his employer, who asked to remain anonymous, asked workers to participate in the community-service project.

"We know there's a lot of kids in this world that need food," LeBron said.

Kira Andreucci, 12, of Fitchburg, and Kylee McCumber, 11, of Leominster, have been helping to feed hungry children in their communities through nonprofit organizations they created. Both volunteered Tuesday. Kira's Karing 4 Kidz and Kylee's Kare Kits for Kidz both received assistance from Hunger Heroes.

"I love helping other kids, and I think it'd be great to help 20,000 other people," Kira said.

"I definitely want to do this again. It's a lot of fun," Kylee said.

Kira and McCumber Kylee weren't the only students given the blessing to play hooky from school for a few hours in order to help their communities.

Lucille DaCosta, adviser of Ayer-Shirley Regional High School's Human Rights Squad, brought six students from the service group to participate.

"We like giving back to the community and to be able to feed a child -- that's a good thing because we don't know how many kids in America are going hungry," DaCosta said. "We help other countries. We need to help home first."

"It feels good helping out and helping families eat," said Ethan St. Peter, 18, of Ayer, president of the Human Rights Squad.

Food pantries throughout North Central Massachusetts assisted by the Hunger Heroes include Catholic Charities, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Gardner Community Action Committee, Gardner Visiting Nurses Association Community Service Pantry, Ginny's Helping Hand Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, MOC-Leona E. Fleming Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Spanish American Center, Townsend Ecumenical Food Pantry, Winchendon Community Action Committee and YMCA/Battered Women's Resources.

Follow Alana Melanson at facebook.com/alanasentinel or on Twitter @alanamelanson.

Fitchburg, Mass - United Way of North Central Massachusetts has provided $125,000 in grants to 17 organizations, with the goal of helping to meet the demand for food and utility assistance.   

"Unfortunately, the demand hasn't abated, so we are taking this proactive step, so people don't go hungry or cold" commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts created its Supplemental Basic Needs Fund to provide immediate emergency relief to individuals and families in the North Central Massachusetts region.

The following agencies received food cards to be distributed to their clients: Gardner CAC, Battered Women's Resources, Gardner VNA, Loaves & Fishes, Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, Our Father's House, Salvation Army, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities, Ginny's Helping Hand Food Pantry, Spanish American Center, Townsend Ecumenical Food Pantry, Leona Fleming Food Pantry, Fitchburg/Leominster CAC and Winchendon Community Action Council.

New England Farm Workers' Council received $30,000 in the fall and recently another $30,000 for heating assistance. According to John Keeney of New England Farm Workers' Council, which manages the Federal Fuel Assistance program, they will be able to help about 170 families because of the grants.

Our Father's House and Winchendon CAC also received money to purchase refrigerators and freezers so they can store food. The Spanish American Center received an additional $2,500 grant to be used at the Worcester County Food Bank, and $5,000 was given to United Way Community Builders, which will package approximately 20,000 prepared meals.

Enterprise Bank and Trust and Fidelity Bank, along with several individuals, donated to the fund.

Contributions may be made to the fund by calling 978-345-1577, going online at www.uwncm.org, or mailing to United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Attn: Supplemental Basic Needs Fund, 285 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Residents who need to know where to go for emergency assistance may call 2-1-1, which is a free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit www.uwncm.org to access their website. The Mass 2-1-1 hotline is prepared to connect callers with help for basic needs and other health and human services.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

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United Way Community Builders invites individuals, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations and local businesses to submit innovative volunteer projects that will engage and generate new volunteers while creating positive social impacts on the region.

Individuals, organizations or groups interested in applying can find the application on the United Way Community Builders' website, www.community-builders.net. The deadline to submit an application is April 1, with the volunteer projects taking place during National Volunteer Week, April 21 - 27. 

"The Star Projects Competition is a great way to celebrate National Volunteer Week by asking the community to vote for their favorite initiative," noted Karin Oliveira, director of United Way Community Builders.

The community can view and vote for their favorite star project on the United Way Community Builders' website, beginning May 6. The project with the most votes will receive the Grand Prize of $1,000, followed  by $500 for the runner up and $250 for second and third place.

The competition is designed to create a platform that gives volunteers, colleagues, friends, neighbors and family a voice in our community. For more volunteer opportunities visit www.community-builders.net.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, S. Lancaster, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

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Area residents saved over $650,000 in prescription drug costs, thanks to a partnership between United Way of North Central Massachusetts and FamilyWize, which provides residents with free prescription discount cards.

"Lowering the cost of prescription drugs allows more people to get the medicines that they may not be able to afford," said Phil Grzewinski of United Way of North Central Massachusetts. "The amount patients save on the cost of complications, disease progression and additional health-related expenses are far greater than just the savings on the medicine." 

United Way of North Central Massachusetts initiated the partnership with FamilyWize in 2008; its mission is to reduce the cost of prescriptions through its drug discount cards, which are available throughout the country at over 50,000 community- and faith-based organizations, agencies, doctors, pharmacies and companies.

Grzewinski added that a recent report, the 2011 Health Affairs Study, found that every dollar a patient spends on prescription drugs to treat heart disease and diabetes saves $3 to $10 on other medical services.

"The FamilyWize card provides immediate savings on prescription medicines and can make a difference in staying healthy. We hope everyone will help spread the word to family and friends about this important free help," said Ellen Imber, vice president community outreach for the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership.

Savings on medications can be as much as 75 percent with the free FamilyWize prescription discount card. The card requires no enrollment or activation. Consumers simply give the card to their pharmacists, and discounts are automatically applied, if applicable.

"The cards can be used by everyone in the community, not just people without insurance," Grzewinski said. "They can even be used by people with insurance who have high deductibles or take medicine not covered by their plan, or by people with Medicaid or Medicare when their prescription isn't covered."

The FamilyWize-United Way Card is free and requires no personal information, can be used immediately and unlimited, by anyone, at every chain pharmacy and most independent pharmacies.

Workers’ Credit Union employees gave United Way of North Central Massachusetts Annual Campaign Drive a major boost through their fundraising efforts.   

So far, the credit union has raised and received pledges from their employees and corporate giving of $46,566 for the 2012-2013 campaign. “The credit union has been a tremendous community supporter and this year is no exception” said Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our employees, who are so generous and want to give back to the community,” said Doug Petersen, president and CEO of Workers’ Credit Union and this year’s United Way volunteer campaign chair.

The 15-branch credit union, with offices from Orange to Acton and Chelmsford, kicked off its annual campaign drive about eight weeks ago, according to Nicole Curtin, assistant vice president, marketing and communications, who is a co-captain of the fundraising committee.

Curtin said the credit union hosted a variety of activities in addition to payroll giving, including every Friday blue jean days, on which employees paid $5 to wear their favorite denim.

Workers' Credit Union, founded in 1914, is headquartered in Fitchburg, Mass. With assets of $875 million, the credit union serves over 69,000 members from 15 offices in Acton, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend, and Workers’ Online at workerscu.com

By Anne O'Connor,

Sentinel & Enterprise  

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 

LEOMINSTER — More than 125 volunteers turned out to help during the Com­munity Builders Martin Luther King Day of Service Challenge on Saturday. They had no idea what to expect.

“These volunteers today were purposely not told what they would be doing or where,” said Scott Bennett the volunteer coordinator with the Community Builders of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

Volunteers were told to dress warm and plan to stay for the day, the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer said. After meeting for breakfast at the United Way in Fitchburg the crew traveled on buses to the Leominster Office of Emer­gency Management. The OEM guys were happy to see them coming. “I'm pretty excited about this, what's going to happen,” said Char­lie Coggins, the Leominster OEM director, as the volun­teers arrived.

The department has been in the former Tri Sum potato chip factory for nine years. Gradually, volunteers have been renovating the building for the emergency service that serves communities across the state.

The work is not complete. People come by in their spare time to chip in on whatever needs to be done, construc­tion work, inventory or vehi­cle maintenance, Assistant Director Jim LeBlanc said. Lots of the materials and labor is donated, the Vice President at Fosta-Tek Optics said. Sometimes even contractors he expects to pay will turn around and say “no charge.”

The MLK Challenge will give the ongoing improve­ments a quick boost. Teams of volunteers, from busi­nesses, schools, community centers and even the Air Force, were assigned to tasks in the cavernous building.

Coggins' task list was long. Teams worked on reno­vations; painting, drywalling and insulating. Others cleared piles of junk from the basement, still home to the life-sized Tri Sum horse.

Others took inventory, getting all the equipment of one type in the same place is a goal OEM wants to reach.

Other teams stayed in the warmer parts of the building assembling emergency kits and preparing food for the day's volunteers.

Because teams were not assigned tasks in advance, workers found themselves doing things they might not expect. All were free to approach other team leaders if they wanted to change tasks, Bennett said. Doing something new keeps volun­teers interested, he said, “It's a challenge to keep getting volunteers to come back.”

JoAnn Griffin brought two volunteers from the Cen­tral Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team. They were going through cages and carriers, preparing to outfit a new trailer pur­chased through a Homeland Security grant. The response trailer will remain in Leominster.

CMDART has responded to the area several times, including the aftermath of the Dec. 2008 ice storm, help­ing with sheltering pets at the Fitchburg library while the shelter at the nearby sen­ior center was open, Griffin said. She and other Ameri­can Red Cross volunteers began the animal response team after working with pet owners during disasters. “Several of us just have a heart for pets,” she said.

Three people from the Leominster Spanish Ameri­can Center were clearing out old wood.

Reaching out to others in need helps to teach responsi­bility to youth, said Hendrick Charles, 20, a student at Mount Wachusett Commu­nity College.

Volunteer photographers and videographers roamed the building and grounds. The photos and videos will be used after the event to keep people involved, said Azure Collier, the social marketing director at Constant Contact.

Many volunteers were teenagers and she encour­aged them to post on Face­book and tweet during the day. As she monitored Face­book and Twitter, the volun­teer could see the numbers of people interacting on the sites increasing.

The North Central United Way and the Leominster OEM cover a similar regional service area, said Karin Oliveira, director of the Com­munity Builders at the United Way said. The groups are planning a training room for just-in-time volunteers.

The Community Builders are looking for more contrac­tors to help down the road at Leominster OEM building. Even with all the volunteer hours and enthusiasm “we realize it won't be completely done,” she said. 

United Way of North Central Massachusetts is accepting grant applications from health and human service providers serving its service territory.

Nonprofits that currently receive United Way support may apply, as well as other 501(c) (3) organizations that have initiatives which address the following priorities: Youth Development and Education, pertaining to alcohol and drug abuse, after-school programs, drop-out rate or teen pregnancy; Public Health Issues, as they pertain to alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy or domestic violence; or Safety Net Programs that directly address food, clothing and shelter.

The deadline for submitting a letter of intent is Feb. 11. To learn more, visit http://www.uwncm.org/Grant_Request.php  or call United Way of North Central Massachusetts at 978-345-1577.

Kathy Heintz, director of community investment for United Way of North Central Massachusetts, thanks Enterprise Bank & Trust’s Ken Ansin (right) and John Flores for their generous donation that helped families displaced by the Columbia Hotel fire in Leominster, Mass. Ten families were able to secure $15,000 of merchandise for their new homes through United Way Distribution Warehouse, which receives donated and discounted goods from major national and regional retailers.  

To meet the increased demand for utility and food assistances, United Way of North Central Massachusetts has made a $60,000 distribution to 15 local health and human services agencies. 

“Unfortunately, due to the protracted economic downturn, the need for basic services continues to be high. The goal is to get resources to the frontline providers as quickly as possible, so we can reach as many families as possible, ” commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts created its Supplemental Basic Needs Fund to provide immediate emergency relief to individuals and families in the North Central Massachusetts region.

“In addition to providing much needed food assistance, the goal is to help those who will struggle to keep warm this winter,” commented Grzewinski. A survey by United Way of area non-profit service providers found more than half of those frontline service providers showed an increase in number of clients needing service.

The following agencies received food assistance: Gardner CAC, Battered Women’s Resources, Our Father’s House, Fitchburg/Leominster Community Action Council, Montachusett Opportunity Council, Salvation Army, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities, Ginny’s Helping Hand Food Pantry, Spanish American Center, Loaves and Fishes, Gardner VNA Community Services Pantry, Townsend Ecumenical Food Pantry and Winchendon Community Action Council.

New England Farm Workers’ Council received $30,000, which will be used for heating assistance.

Contributions may be made to the fund by calling 978-345-1577, going online at www.uwncm.org, or mailing to United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Attn: Supplemental Basic Needs Fund, 285 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Residents who need to know where to go for emergency assistance can call 2-1-1, which is a free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit www.uwncm.org to access their website. The Mass 2-1-1 hotline is prepared to connect callers with help for basic needs and other health and human services. 

United Way Community Builders, a volunteer center serving North Central Massachusetts, is seeking volunteers to participate in its MLK Service Day Challenge on Jan. 26.

This event is part of a regional collaborative of volunteer service projects, multi-cultural activities and events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.

The MLK Service Day Challenge will provide the opportunity for volunteers to participate in one day of intense community service. Volunteers will work together in teams and be asked to share ideas on the most effective and creative way to complete the volunteer project.

“What is really great about the experience is that participants get to meet new people and are able to put their creative ideas to work,” said Karin Oliveira, director of United Way Community Builders. “The effect can be very powerful to the individual who wonders if they can truly make a difference.”

According to Oliveira, the projects will vary from team to team, but volunteers will not know what project they have until the morning of the event. “It will be the volunteers job throughout the day to complete the challenge project to the best of their abilities.”

Volunteers with diverse skill sets are needed and should come prepared to do various types of work, which includes some construction-type projects. “We really encourage folks to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by giving back to your community and making the world a stronger, more vibrant place to live,” concluded Oliveira.

To learn more about participating in the MLK Service Day Challenge, volunteers should visit www.community-builders.net or contact Karin Oliveira at United Way of North Central Massachusetts, 978-345-1577, ext. 26 or karin@uwncm.org. 

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IC Federal Credit Union answers the call from United Way of North Central Massachusetts for local heat, food and shelter support in the way of a $7500 donation. “It is no secret that our economy is still sluggish and many people are in need of some of the basics that many of us take for granted,” said Tony Cali from IC.

“Meeting the demand for the basics, food and utility assistance, continues to be a challenge for the frontline providers, and we are grateful to organizations like IC that enable us to help those in need,” said Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts. 

Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts, thanks Unitil’s John DiNapoli, municipal & community services manager, for conducting an employee workplace campaign, which raised $4300 for United Way ‘s Community Impact Fund. 

Help us help more families 

You can turn $100,000 into $200,000

The stubbornly high unemployment rate in our region is creating an unprecedented demand for basic needs, food and utility assistance. United Way of North Central Massachusetts received a very special $100,000 gift from a generous donor to put to use immediately.  

With your help, the goal is to raise another $100,000, which will allow us to provide food and utility assistance to thousands of additional families in need. 

Here is how you can help:

Any new or increased individual giving to United Way’s Community Impact Fund will help go toward the $100,000 goal.

Any new or increased corporate giving to United Way’s Community Impact Fund will go toward the $100,000 goal. 

With the goal of increasing kindergarten readiness through expanding the number of books being read to small children, United Way of North Central Massachusetts and its partners have launched Reading First, a literacy coalition, which will provide free books to Fitchburg and Leominster children.  

Families from the Twin Cities with children from birth to age 5, can sign up to have one book per month mailed to their home their child, regardless of household income.

“What is great about this program is that it aligns with United Way’s focus on youth development and has proven results that improve children’s school readiness,” said Kathy Heintz, director of community investment for United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

According to Heintz, the reason for launching the program was research that showed that in the average middle income home, there are 13 age-appropriate books per child, on average — versus one book per 300 children in low-income homes.

Reading First will use the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to distribute by mail a brand new, age-appropriate book to enrolled children every month until five years of age, creating a home library of up to 60 books. Some of the popular titles include “The Little Engine That Could” and “Green Eggs and Ham”.

Families can sign up for the program by completing a registration form, which can be found at Children’s Aid and Family Services, Montachusett Community Branch YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Spanish American Center, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Montachusett Opportunity Council and at the United Way of North Central Massachusetts or sign-up online at United Way’s website, www.uwncm.org.

The initiative is being sponsored by United Way of North Central Massachusetts and several local businesses, including IC Federal Credit Union, Simonds International, Bemis Associates, Fitchburg State University and HYPE, the young professionals group at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

United Way anticipates that over 1,000 of the eligible 5,100 pre-K school children in Fitchburg and Leominster will   sign up for the books by the end of the first year. Heintz said United Way would expand the program to other communities as sponsors are secured.

A recent study done for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library showed that children who participated in the reading program scored 15 percent higher in kindergarten literacy scores than their peers.

The initiative was unveiled at Children’s Aid and Family Services on John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg. 

Unitil Corporation, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers throughout New England, is urging its customers to be aware of all fuel assistance programs available to assist with heating costs as winter approaches.

That was the message shared with nearly 100 nonprofit and community leaders who attended a heating assistance forum Thursday at the Holiday Inn Fitchburg. The forum was hosted jointly by Unitil and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

“We are encouraging people to apply early for fuel assistance,” Derek Kimball, residential energy efficiency programs coordinator for Unitil said. “Because it was an unseasonably warm winter last year, it is important for families to plan for a typical heating season this year.”

John Keeney of New England Farm Workers’ Council, which manages the Federal Fuel Assistance program, said a family of four with a household income of $60,137 or less would qualify for the program. For a single person, the income figure is $31,271. 

“Apply for these programs as soon as possible, and please do not wait until you’re in financial trouble before asking for help,” Keeney said.

Those who do not qualify for Federal Fuel Assistance, but may need assistance, may contact the Salvation Army, whose Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides a heating assistance benefit of up to $350 for the year. For more information, call the Salvation Army at 1-978-342-9407 or 211, which provides health and human services referrals. The fund opens for emergencies on Dec. 1 and on Jan. 1 for general assistance.

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program, managed by the Montachusett Opportunity Council, provides no-cost energy saving improvements, such as insulation and heating system repairs, to homeowners who meet income guidelines.

Sue Corson, customer assistance program coordinator for Unitil, reviewed the utility company’s budget billing program, which makes monthly utility bills more affordable by leveling out higher seasonal energy bills, which are spread out throughout the year.

In addition, customers may qualify for a discount rate on natural gas or electricity, depending on household size and income. Unitil works with the New England Farm Workers Council to approve customers for the discount rate as well as other agencies that provide public benefits.

Customers who qualify for the discount rate, have an overdue balance of  $300 or more and who enter into a payment agreement to pay their current utility bills on time, may be eligible to participate in the Arrears Forgiveness Program, which provides up to $1,200 in relief per year, per service on their outstanding balances.  

For customers who are over the income limit for low-income programs, Unitil offers the MassSave program, which provides a 75 percent rebate of up to $2,000 to install energy saving home improvements, such as insulation, air sealing and Energy Star lighting products. Customers may also be eligible for interest free loans of up to $15,000 on qualifying energy efficiency upgrades.

“Forums like today help get the word about on these programs,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “All too often, a family which could make use of these services never makes the call simply because they didn’t know help was available. These programs exist to help you. If you need help, call.”

Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts, told listeners about a program being administered by United Way of North Central Massachusetts that provides emergency relief to homeless people who cannot find shelter during the winter months. For more information, agencies can call the United Way of North Central Massachusetts at 978-345-1577.