
The historic challenges of the last several months have been very difficult for our country, community, and families. With millions now unemployed or furloughed, schools, childcare centers, and most businesses working remotely, our “new normal” is stressful and filled with anxiety and uncertainty for everyone. During this time, your United Way has been working hard to address some of the increasingly unmet basic needs in our 25-community service area: Hampden County, Granby, and South Hadley.
Because of your support, we’ve been able to accomplish the following during the last 6 months:
FEEDING THE HUNGRY
SUPPORTING CHILDREN
INFORMATION & REFERRALS
- United Way’s Mass2-1-1 hotline, the official hotline for COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, continues to take over 1,500 COVID-19 calls daily.
- Call2talk, United Way’s Mental Health/Suicide Prevention hotline which is part of the Mass2-1-1 platform, continues to take over 150 COVID-19 calls daily.
PROGRAM FUNDING
- Distributed $194,555 in Emergency Food & Shelter funding through FEMA to local food programs in addition to $277,380 in federal CARES funding to local agencies funding basic human needs programming.
- Thrive, our free confidential financial coaching service, is currently counseling over 200 local families teaching them the skills they need to correctly manage their money.
For us to continue this very important work, we need your help now more than ever as raising funds this year will likely be very difficult due to the economy. Additionally, 2021 is the 100th Anniversary of the United Way of Pioneer Valley — marking a century of community investment and caring.
So please give as generously as you can to this year’s United Way of Pioneer Valley campaign and multiply your gift by telling your friends to join you! I thank you in advance for your support.

Paul L. Mina
President & CEO, United Way of Pioneer Valley
Executive Director, Mass2-1-1
