As part of the business model at Shop Western Mass we are going to be giving back to our community. We decided to support a group or organization in each of the following categories: Food, Shelter, Education, Sustainable Energy, Ecology, Agriculture, Culture, Economic Development, Youth Development and Social Activism. Shop Western Mass will donate not less than 10% of its before tax earnings and divide it between the organizations listed below. As your support of Shop Western Mass increases, so will this list.

THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASS.
http://www.foodbankwma.org
The Food Bank works behind the scenes of nearly every charitable organization that provides food to people in need in western Massachusetts.

Their 420 member agency programs include soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, childcare centers, and elder programs throughout Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.  Each year the Food Bank distributes more than 6 million pounds of food to these agencies to help feed people in need.

Food manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets, and restaurants donate much of this food. We also distribute USDA commodities, food purchased through a state program, and fresh produce from our own community supported organic Food Bank Farm.

FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
http://www.fccdc.org
Growing Sustainable Businesses and Communities Since 1979, throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. Through their programs of Business Technical Assistance, Lending, Small Business Incubator and the Food Processing Center, the CDC helps to stimulate and support a vital rural economy and maximize community control over our economic destiny.

COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE (CISA)
http://www.buylocalfood.com
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to sustaining agriculture in western Massachusetts and promoting the products of small farms. CISA works toward community development by fostering a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between farmers and consumers. CISA offers programs, special events, marketing products and workshops, all of which enhance the economic development of the region. Since 1999, market research indicates that by increasing farm profitability and by making local farm products readily available, CISA’s programs and services are very effective at enhancing the local economy and influencing consumer buying habits. 

"Be a Local Hero - Buy Locally Grown"

NORTH QUABBIN WOODS PROJECT
http://www.northquabbinwoods.org
North Quabbin Woods is a project of the New England Forestry Foundation. The goal of the project is to revitalize the North Quabbin economy based on the sustainable use of local forest resources. Project initiatives include: Educating landowners about sustainable forest management; Marketing locally made wood products; Training Forest Guides; Raising Community Awareness.

GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
http://www.gcc.mass.edu
Since 1968, the Greenfield Community College Foundation has invested in the hope of a better life through education for a broad cross-section of Franklin and Hampshire Counties. GCC success stories include: women, especially older women in transition from home, work, or welfare; outstanding students for whom GCC represents the best value for their education dollar; adults making a career change; workers seeking to upgrade their skills; immigrants starting a new life; gifted high school students who earn both their high school diploma and their associate’s degree at GCC, and struggling students for whom GCC is their best chance to redeem their future. To all who dare to dream of a new future for themselves, hope’s address is Greenfield Community College. 

NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION (NESEA)
http://www.nesea.org
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nation's leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. For more than thirty years, NESEA has facilitated and enhanced a network of professionals, practitioners, and other citizens in pursuit of responsible energy use. NESEA's programs and activities focus on the northeastern United States, from Washington, DC to Maine. NESEA is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.

PIONEER VALLEY SYMPHONY
http://www.pvso.org
One of the oldest community orchestras in the United States, the PVS was founded to "serve the Pioneer Valley through music in three ways: by performing symphonic and choral music; by providing members of the community the opportunity to participate in making music; and through musical education, particularly by introducing young children to live orchestral music."

PIONEER VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
http://www.pioneervalleyhabitat.org
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical, grass roots Christian ministry concerned with the shrinking supply of decent affordable housing in Hampshire and Franklin counties. We seek to break the cycle of dependency by helping families move from inadequate or subsidized housing into tax-paying homeownership.

We are one of 1900 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Our all-volunteer board raises money, recruits volunteers and constructs inexpensive sturdy houses in partnership with low-income families. We help the families purchase the houses at cost and provide them with supportive services.

Habitat for Humanity International also has more than 100 sponsored projects in over 60 countries. One tenth of the funds raised by our Pioneer Valley affiliate is sent to build homes in Haiti, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SOCIETY, INC.
http://www.yes-inc.org
YES provides entrepreneurship, job readiness and financial education to more than 100 young people each year in Franklin County high schools, after-school, in summer camps, and on-line. Our 80-hour BizVenture! and GirlVenture! programs are taught by certified instructors and local entrepreneurs who use standards-based curricula created by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), the National Endowment for Financial Education, and the Franklin Hampshire Career Center. Program graduates become members of YES and the Career Center and can earn high school and college credit. YES also created and operates the Odd Jobs Exchange, a free odd jobs advertising service for teens, and owns the BizCenter in downtown Orange, now being renovated to house a youth and adult business incubator.

TRAPROCK PEACE CENTER
http://traprockpeace.org
Together We Explore Nonviolence, Foster Community, Work to end war, Promote Communication & Take Initiatives on Justice and Environmental Issues.

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