Listen

Description

Join us as we hear from Robin Bialecki ED of the Easthampton Community Center about her dedicated approach to helping the community meet its needs.

Under her leadership (since 2008) the ECC has grown to helping all four counties reach the gaps that they have in their respective needs. From food insecurity, housing, job loss, relocation, and more, the ECC has risen to the level that the clients demand (open 7 days). Robin and her team have a hard time saying no and as a result have steadily increased their capacity to serve more and more clients for over 46 years. As one of the only gluten and allergy free pantries in WMA they get many requests for food specific and sensitive care products. Robin gets this done through her over 200 volunteer staff that help throughout the year, including Pat Brough, Sales and Marketing Director for Finck & Perras Insurance. 10 years ago, he helped co-create the much beloved event Give Em the Bird 5K which is a benefit for the ECC. In 2015, they raised 10,000 and they now hope to raise more than 35,000 this year. With over 55 sponsors, I think they have a shot at having their best year ever.