In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – February 2, 2021 – this is the final week to drop off for the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester food pantry at the Table Talk Pie Store, Worcester Bravehearts Summer Baseball Camp registration is open, the Worcester Railers feed frontline workers, Bay State Savings Bank is accepting submissions from teen filmmakers and gas prices are up three cents this week in Massachusetts.
The Final Week for the Boys & Girls Club Food Pantry
This week will be the last to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester at the Table Talk Pie Store at 153 Grove St. in Worcester.
Those who drop donations at the Table Talk Pie Store get a free 4” pie.
The items needed for the pantry are:
- Bisquick Pancake and baking mix
- Syrup
- Canned Chicken and Tuna
- Canned Meals (ravioli, beef-a-roni)
- Fruit Cups, Pudding Cups and Kids Snacks
- Cooking Oil and Salad Dressing
- Jelly and Fluff (Peanut Butter not needed)Powdered Drink Mixes
The pantry also requests some non-food items:
- All-Purpose cleaner
- Laundry Detergent
- Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Tissues
- Body Wash, Lotion, Shampoo/Conditioner
The Table Talk Pie Store accepts donations between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Bravehearts Summer Baseball Camp Registration is Open
The Worcester Bravehearts summer camp registration is open for boys and girls ages 6 – 12.
The camp will be two weeks this year, with sessions from July 19 through July 23 and July 26 to July 30.
The camp day runs 9 AM to 2 PM with drop off as early as 7:45 AM.
The cost is $300 for one week or $560 for both weeks.
Worcester Railers Feed Frontline Workers
The Worcester Railers “Food for Frontliners” will feed over 600 frontline workers in an initiative presented by Assumption University.
The initiative provides complimentary meals to front-line workers who have endured significant risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program recognizes teachers, healthcare professionals, post office employees and other frontline workers on a weekly basis throughout January and February. Each meal will be provided from a local restaurant.
Staff at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Rutland, Oriol Health Care’s Oakdale Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston have already been served.
Receiving meals before the end of the month will be Seven Hills ASPiRE!, Worcester County school teachers, Shrewsbury postal workers, Worcester County corrections, and the Reliant Medical Group COVID-19 testing site workers.
Bay State Savings Bank Accepting Submissions from Teen Filmmakers
Bay State Savings Bank is accepting submissions for its Lights, Camera, Save! video contest.
The contest, organized by the American Bankers Association Foundation, is a national competition that encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of sound money management and set their peers on a sound financial path.
To take part, students (ages 13-18) must create a video, 30-seconds or less, on using money wisely and submit a link to the video along with a completed entry form to the bank by March 1. The contest is open to filmmakers of all experience levels.
Bay State Savings Bank will host the first round of judging and select a winner to compete on the national level for several cash prizes, including $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for the third and fourth place.
For more information, visit the Bay State Savings Bank website.
Gas Prices Up 3 Cents this Week in MA
AAA Northeast, the popular not-for-profit auto club, reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price increased two cents from last week ($2.36), averaging $2.39 per gallon. That price is 18 cents higher than a month ago ($2.21), and 15 cents cheaper than February 1. 2020 ($2.54).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is three cents lower than the national average.
AAA Northeast’s February 1 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be two cents higher than last week, averaging $2.42 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 17 cents higher than a month ago ($2.25), and 5 cents cheaper than this day last year ($2.52).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
