Hunger Action Month: Supporting Rachel's Table & HCC's Thrive Center
Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) took initiative in raising awareness for “Hunger Action Month” in Western Massachusetts for its second year in a row. This September, team members led by Mallory Beauregard and Keara King joined together to hold a successful food drive for The Thrive Center ("the Center") at Holyoke Community College through Rachel’s Table. These two organizations make a direct impact on families & individuals throughout our local community.
About the Organizations
Rachel’s Table
A near and dear organization to MBK, Rachel’s Table holds special meaning for David Kalicka, CPA, MST, Partner Emeritus, as his sister was one of the organization’s original founders. The organization was founded in 1992 in the Springfield/Longmeadow area by the Women's Philanthropy Division of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Rachel's Table support in the community expands from Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, and even into Hartford County located in Connecticut.
Snapshot of impact made by Rachel's Table:
- Rachel’s Table works with over 65+ agencies across the counties it supports including shelters, community meals, after school programs, food pantries and more.
- Rachel’s Table works with over 90 restaurants, bakeries, caterers, grocery stores, farms and more to source healthy, nutrient-dense food. In 2025, they were able to deliver 987,775 pounds of healthy local food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
- In 2025, Rachel’s Table sponsored 102 gleans, harvesting 116,455 pounds of farm produce, up 132% from 2024. Currently, they average open community gleans about 2-3 times a week during the growing season (July-November).
The Thrive Center at Holyoke Community College
This is a basic necessities resource center, providing direct resources, referrals, and support related to food/nutrition, housing, social benefits, and personal finances. The Center was opened in 2015 and has grown throughout the years to support the growth of the college. In 2024, the Center relocated to a larger space on campus to have a greater capacity to serve. The Food Pantry and Grab-and-Go options are now located at the Kittredge Center 203, just down the hall from the cafeteria. They provide a range of food, personal care and household items to students, staff and faculty facing basic needs insecurities.
The Center shares these resources on campus with students to keep them on a path to achieving their dreams of a college education.
The impact of collective giving:
Together as a team, MBK raised $545 dollars which was used to purchase the following pantry staples:
- 12 Jellies & Jams
- 12 Jars of Peanut Butter
- 2 Jars of Honey
- 17 Granola Bar Boxes (with a focus on Gluten Free options)
- 4 Jars of Mixed Nuts
- 4 Boxes of Fruit Snacks
- 5 Boxes of Fruit Pouches
- 3 Boxes of Juice Pouches
- 20 Boxes of Cereal (with a focus on kids cereal & cereal cups)
- 18 Boxes of Ramen (with a focus on grab and go cups vs packets)
- 8 Cans of Soups (with a focus on gluten free & vegan soups)
- 13 Cans of Pigeon Peas
- 7 Bottles of Oil
- 4 Bags of Flour
- 8 Bags of Sugar
- 12 Boxes of Cake Mix
- 12 Jars of Frosting
- 3 Cans of Evaporated Milk
- 10 Baby Food Pouches
- 8 Bottles of Ketchup & Mustard
- 21 Cans of Veggies
- 1 Box of Crackers
- 3 Bottles of Salad Dressing
- 32 Cups of Microwavable Mac & Cheese
- 12 Tuna Kits
- 11 Boxes of Pasta
- 8 Cans of Beefaroni
- 19 Boxes of Rice
Additionally, a small collection of personal items were donated:
- 6 Tubes of Toothpaste
- 5 Containers of Toothbrushes
- 2 Boxes of Diapers
- 4 Packs of Toilet Paper Rolls
- 5 Bottles of Body wash
- 3 Menstrual Products & Heavy Pads
- 2 Bags of 100 ct. Breast Milk Bags
MBK was able to donate over 360 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable items to The Thrive Center at Holyoke Community College which was picked up by the team at Rachel's Table on September 30th to conclude Hunger Action month.
To learn more about Rachel’s Table and the Holyoke Community College's Thrive Center, including ways to support their missions and give back to the community, please visit their websites:
- Rachel’s Table: https://feedwma.org/
- The Thrive Center: https://www.hcc.edu/student-life/student-resources/thrive-center
This material is generic in nature. Before relying on the material in any important matter, users should note date of publication and carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness, and relevance for their purposes, and should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.
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