It Takes a Village, a nonprofit organization based in Cummington, is collecting backpacks and duffle bags for kids traveling to foster homes.
The group has been providing the western Massachusetts community with free baby and children’s clothing and gear for several years through its donation site, “The Village Closet.”
According to Annie Hazlett, Village Closet coordinator, more foster families have been contacting the organization recently.
“We would get a call that someone needed clothes for a child that arrived in their home the night before,” Hazlett said.
That is when the organization discovered that the Department of Children and Family Services does not provide travel bags for the children’s belongings. Instead, plastic trash bags are kept on hand to transport personal items for what is often an emergency placement.
The team at It Takes a Village wanted to provide the children with a more dignified experience during what is always a very emotional time.
That Hazlett says, makes a very significant difference to the children involved.
It Takes a Village will be collecting backpacks, duffle bags, and overnight bags to send to the Treehouse Foundation, located in Easthampton, which implements and supports innovative child welfare practices to ensure that children who experience foster care find forever families and supportive communities.
The Treehouse Foundation’s Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America Movement seeks to change the culture and practice of how children and youth are placed in the child welfare system.
There will be donation bins in locations across the Hilltowns and Pioneer Valley during the month of June including: RH Conwell School in Worthington, Littleville Elementary School and Gateway Regional School in Huntington, Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton, the Jackson Street School and Northampton High School in Northampton, and the Village Closet in Cummmington.
The foundation asks that no bulky or rigid suitcases be dropped off
For specific drop-off dates and additional locations, please visit www.hilltownvillage.org/backpack, or find It Takes a Village on Facebook.
Trustees of the Reservation will host a hard cider talk and tasting at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington on Saturday, June 10, from 4 p.m. to 6.p.m.
Join Ahsfield’s Bear Swamp Orchard and Cidery and a local cider maker to discover the history of hard cider making around the globe.
Participants can enjoy a sampling of hard ciders produced by Bear Swamp Orchard and from around the world.
Guest are then welcomed to purchase a glass of cider to enjoy on the veranda of the historic home. Advanced registration is required.
Trustees of the Reservation members, $12; non-members, $20.
Contact information: acaluori@thetrustees.org, 532-1631 Ext. 3110
On Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. the Worthington Gardeners will offer An Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping Workshop. Featured speaker, naturalist and landscaper John Root will discuss how to establish and maintain a variety of perennials, including trees, shrubs, fruits and vines, for an annual harvest of fruits, nuts and vegetables.
The program is supported in part by a grant from the Worthington Cultural Council and will take place at the Worthington Historical Society, 6 Williamsburg Road.
Admission is free.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com