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Date: 2/22/2022
CHICOPEE - State and local legislators gathered on Feb. 16 to celebrate a $1.62 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant for the Food Bank of Western Mass. While officials expressed support for the grant, it’s acceptance became a central topic for debate during the Feb. 15 City Council meeting.
Feb. 16 Ceremony
Mayor John Vieau and Executive Director of the Food Bank Andrew Morehouse gathered with Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi, state Sen. Eric Lesser, state Sen. Adam Gomez, state Rep. Joseph Wagner, state Rep. Michael Finn, state Rep. Jacob Oliveira and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy to celebrate the grant’s approval.
The legislators expressed unified support for the grant and the Food Bank’s development of a new headquarters in Chicopee. Lesser highlighted the expanded impact the new location will have upon Western Mass. “It’s going to be a lot more efficient for people that need help getting food,” said Lesser. Finn and Oliveria also stressed the location’s wide-reaching impacts, with Finn stating that the headquarters will positively impact every fabric of the community.
In their addresses, Kennealy and Wagner took time to highlight the importance of the MassWorks Infrastructure Program. Wagner shared the program’s significance as an aid to economic development, housing, job support and other community needs while Kennealy discussed the program’s continued impact on the state as a whole.
“It funds so many great and important projects,” said Kennealy, who shared that the Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov Karyn Polito administration distributed $600 million in MassWorks grants during their tenure.
For Vieau, he shared that the Food Bank’s mission resonated with him personally as a former member of Lorraine Soup Kitchen’s Board of Directors and as someone who relied upon food pantries as a youth. The mayor expressed that the new location will fortify the community’s efforts to combat food insecurity.
“People who are in need can receive pantry items with dignity,” said Vieau. He also shared that the new headquarters would allow for 6 percent more food to be distributed to nearby communities.
After thanking the legislators’ support, Morehouse also provided an update on the headquarters completion. “We are going to break ground in April, hopefully finish by March 2023 and move in by September 2023,” said Morehouse.
City Council debates Food Bank grant
Before the ceremony took place, the City Council aired mixed sentiments about the grant’s appropriation. Following public speak outs that featured grievances with the Food Bank’s size and impact on local forestry, Ward 6 Councilor Derek Dobosz expressed concerns with the headquarters given constituents issues.
“I believe that this project needed a zone change or a special permit, I think it’s sketchy,” said Dobosz. Ward 7 Councilor William Courchesne and Ward 9 Councilor Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello also raised concerns while advocating for the grant to be further reviewed in Finance Committee meetings.
Ward 1 Councilor Joel McAuliffe and Ward 2 Councilor Shane Brooks issued strong support for the grant. Brooks stressed that the Food Bank will provide a sustainable food chain in Chicopee and other communities abroad, with food availability also providing other positive impacts in people’s lives.
“Food insecurity leads people to make decisions in respect to paying rent and having a sustainable food chain to be able to provide for their family,” said Brooks.
After extensive debate, the council ultimately approved the grant in a 10-3 vote.