Compiled by Debra Scherban. Please send items to dscherban@gazettenet.com
The Amherst Survival Center will host a discussion on threats to the safety net Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Representatives from the governor’s office, Congressman Jim McGovern’s office, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will be there.
The event is part of the Survival Center’s Feed Democracy initiative which connects increased awareness of food insecurity to action.
“Reports of proposed budget cuts, block granting of food and nutrition programs like SNAP (or food stamps) and WIC, efforts to repeal access to health insurance, eliminate the community development block grant, fuel assistance and cutting housing subsidies, sound scary and dangerous,” said Mindy Domb, executive director of the center.
The event is co-sponsored by the Amherst League of Women Voters.
The Amherst Survival Center is located at 138 Sunderland Road in North Amherst, on the Route 33 PVTA bus route.
A workshop on ways to advocate for public health policy change will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St. Hadley.
It is sponsored by Hampshire HOPE and SPIFFY, two Hampshire County-based prevention coalitions and is open to the public.
Participants will work on plans around these topics: shaping the new marijuana legislation; educating the newly formed alcohol task force revising state laws; influencing the state budget for Fiscal 2018.
Hampshire HOPE (Heroin and Opioid Prevention & Education) is an opioid prevention coalition run out of the city of Northampton’s Health Department. SPIFFY is a coalition of community and school-based groups whose goal is to promote strong families and create a culture where youth are supported in making healthy choices.
RSVP by calling 587-1219, or emailing HampshireHOPE@northamptonma.gov or by going online to: hampshirehope.org/events.
The Alzheimer’s Association will present a free program on behaviors associated with dementia April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., at South County Senior Center, 67 North Main St, South Deerfield.
Participants will learn ways to intervene in the most common situations. To register or for more information visit alz.org/MANH or call 800-272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association provides support for those affected by the disease, as well as research into causes, treatments and cures. Headquarters are in Waltham, with regional offices in Raynham, Springfield, and Worcester, and Bedford, New Hampshire. It runs a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. For more information, visit alz.org/MANH.
Mindfulness
classes planned
Two eight-week classes focused on mindfulness will be offered by clinical psychologist Ruth Folchman at 40 Center St., Northampton.
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Depression and Anxiety will be held Tuesday mornings, May 2 through June 20. A free introduction/orientation will be held April 11 and 18, 9 to 11 a.m.
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) will take place on Tuesday evenings, May 2 through June 20. Introduction/orientation is April 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
Go to ruth@drruthfolchman.com for more information, or call Ruth at 582-6900.
April 10, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Student Union, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst
April 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mount Holyoke College Mary Wooley Hall, 50 College St., South Hadley