Page 60 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

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Ice Out Hunger
For the second consecutive year, Florence Bank 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 Western Mass. food pantries at each UMass home game, and before the season ends, 19 nonprofits will have benefited. 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. Pictured: representatives of Southampton Community Cupboard (left) and Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals (right), two of the 19 organizations that received grants.
24 FEBRUARY 17, 2025
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Making a Career of IT
On Jan. 14, Tech Foundry graduated its fall 2024 cohort
of students, who dedicated 18 weeks to advancing their technology skills. The event was held at the Community
Music School of Springfield. Brandon Garcia and Florentino Zamarripa IV were elected by their classmates to speak about their experiences in the program, and both talked passionately about the community they built during their time at Tech Foundry and the personal obstacles they overcame. State Rep. Carlos González (pictured at left) served as keynote speaker and personally congratulated each graduate, recognizing their dedication and achievements and encouraging them as they entered the tech workforce.