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Date: 2/1/2022
EASTHAMPTON – Liberty Cannabis, a division of Holistic Industries, recently collected 1,120 pounds of food during their end-of-year food drive for the Easthampton Community Center (ECC).
According to Rabbi James Kahn, the executive director of Liberty Cannabis Cares, Liberty conducted their first food drive in collaboration with the ECC back at the end of 2020 and early 2021 to assist during the pandemic.
During that first food drive in early 2021, Liberty was able to collect more than 600 pounds of food, 250 toothbrushes and 150 tubes of toothpaste. The company also carried out two additional food bin supply drives to help Easthampton in 2021.
The most recent food drive lasted from October through December. According to Robin Bialecki, the executive director of the ECC, the 1,120 pounds of food amounts to the equivalent of 862 meals.
“[Liberty] wanted to help the community during the pandemic, and they really have been great about collecting,” said Bialecki. “This drive far surpassed the last one.”
According to Kahn, Liberty Cannabis Cares is the corporate social responsibility wing of Holistic Industries. “It is an expression of our mission to make cannabis a force for good,” said Kahn. “This is true for our patients and customers who are using cannabis to relax after a day or potentially to treat symptoms of cancer treatments.”
Liberty Cannabis also plans to host an additional two food drives during 2022 and will continue their sponsorship with the Easthampton Farmers’ Market. They will also continue their Adopt a Trail program with Easthampton, where Liberty staff regularly goes out to clear brush on the city’s trails.
National Nonwovens, a manufacturer in Easthampton that develops fiber-processing technologies, also donated 600 pounds of food to the ECC after their own food drive. In general, Bialecki commends the Easthampton business community for all their help during the difficult times.
“It’s just been a wonderful outpouring from the business community to help,” said Bialecki, adding that Easthampton Savings Bank donated $3,000 to the ECC from their Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund. “It’s very heartwarming that what we’re doing is reaching so many people.”