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 – Thursday, August 4 – the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market is postponed due to today’s high temperatures, there’s a food insecurity summit next week, organizations in Westborough are hosting a school supply drive, Clark University and the Fuller Foundation are funding after-school programs and field trips for University Park Campus School over the next two years and Big Brother Big Sister is in Worcester next week picking up donations.
Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market Postponed Due to Hot Weather
Due to Thursday’s forecast of extreme heat, the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market event has been rescheduled to Sept. 8.
The National Weather Service is predicting the heat index values up to 105 degrees on Thursday and Friday. A heat advisory for Worcester and the region is in place between 11 AM on Thursday and 8 PM on Friday.
The Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Markets will now be held from 11 AM to 2 PM on Aug. 18, Sept. 1, and Sept. 8. More information can be found here.
Food Insecurity Summit with Congressman McGovern Next Week
The Mustard Seed, Bread for the World, the Worcester County Food Bank and the City of Worcester Task Force on Food Security are hosting a presentation on food insecurity in Worcester on Aug. 10.
The presentation will feature special guest Congressman Jim McGovern.
The event is being held at the Belmont AME Zion Church at 55 Illinois St. in Worcester from 7:30 AM to 9 AM.
For more information, see below:
You’re invited! Come share/learn about lived experiences regarding food insecurity in Worcester with Congressman McGovern @McGovernMA (8/10, 7:30-9am)
Hosted By: The Mustard Seed, Bread for the World, @WorcCtyFoodBank and The City of Worcester Task Force on Food Security pic.twitter.com/s1oM1ojx78
— Regional Environmental Council (@RECWorcester) August 3, 2022
Several Westborough Organizations Hosting School Supply Drive
The Westborough Public Library, Westborough Youth & Family Services, Westborough Police, Your Shoes, and St. Luke’s Parish are hosting a school supply drive from now until Aug. 22.
Drop-off boxes are at the Westborough Senior Center, St. Luke’s Parish Center. Westborough Public Library, Westborough Youth & Family Services office, and Westborough Police lobby.
For a list of school supply items needed, see below:
Clark University, Fuller Foundation Partner to Support University Park School Programs
Clark University and the Fuller Foundation announced Wednesday they are partnering to fund after-school programs and field trips for University Park Campus School over the next two school years.
Clark University will use a $100,000 gift from the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation of Worcester to fund the programs starting in September 2022.
“The after-school program and field trips supported by this generous gift from the Fuller Foundation will have an immediate and tangible impact on UPCS students and their families,” said Clark University president David B. Fithian. “We are incredibly grateful to the Fuller Foundation Trustees for recognizing the value of creating meaningful opportunities to enrich and amplify the educational experience for students, and for giving Clark the resources to help bring those opportunities to life at UPCS.”
The grant will provide UPCS students opportunities to explore extra-curricular interests and activities, build skills and relationships, improve their academic performance through specialized classes and homework assistance, and enjoy new sports and recreational offerings, including e-sports and gaming, dance, and music.
Daniel St. Louis, University Park Campus School principal, said, “We’re excited by and grateful for every opportunity to collaborate with Clark on programs that benefit Main South kids in real and enduring ways. This grant underscores the importance of having a solid after-school program in a trusted and familiar setting, both as an educational enhancement and for the peace of mind it offers families seeking purposeful activities for their children once the school day is done.”
Big Brother Big Sister Picking Up Donations in Worcester
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation has a truck scheduled for pickups in the Worcester area on Friday, Aug. 12.
Founded in 1904, Big Brother Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brother Big Sister makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country.
Foundation pickups accept a range of items, including clothing, certain household items, books and other items. See the full list of acceptable items here.
Schedule a home pickup here.
Lead image: Worcester Common/Patrick Sargent for ThisWeekinWorcester.com
