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 – Wednesday, March 16 – Worcester Fitness is hiring for youth summer programs, Planting the Seed Foundation kicks off a coat drive, the Worcester Bravehearts are hosting a March Madness contest, Catholic Charities is offering a food wellness program in Southbridge and Cornerstone Bank donates $15,000 to UMass Memorial Health.
Worcester Fitness is Hiring for Summer Programs
Worcester Fitness is hiring seasonal employees for its nine week Summer Program beginning June 19. Available positions include Lead Counselors, Counselors, WSI Swim Instructors, and Certified Lifeguards.
Prior experience of working with children is required. The program serves children four to 11. All staff are CORI checked prior to orientation.
For more information on the program and open positions, visit the Worcester Fitness website.
Planting the Seed Coat Drive Kick Off
The Planting the Seed Foundation opens its coat drive on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 PM at Worcester Fitness at 44 Grove Street in Worcester. Corned beef sandwiches and other refreshments will be served. Suggested donation $10 per person.
Items collected during the drive include new and gently used coats along with new socks, hats, gloves and scarves.
The drive runs through April 15.
Worcester Bravehearts March Madness Contest
The Worcester Bravehearts are holding a March Madness brackets contest with ticket packages as prizes for the winners.
To join the contest, sign up for the bracket challenge on the ESPN website visit the and join the group with password: JAKE.
The prizes are:
- 1st: Two season tickets
- 2nd: Two 5-game plans
- 3rd: Two all-you-can-eat flex tickets
Catholic Charities Offers Food Wellness Program for Students in Southbridge
Catholic Charities Worcester County will work collaboratively with 2Gether We Eat, an organization with a mission to end food insecurity by educating and empowering youth. The program will allow students to learn about hydroponic farming and how it can aid their families and communities to grow large amounts of healthy, affordable, and locally sourced food in urban environments, where such food is otherwise difficult to obtain.
Growing, Reaching, and Developing (GRAD) program is designed for the enrichment, empowerment, and development of High School students.
This program, sponsored by the United Way of South Central MA, fosters learning and awareness in the issues of food insecurities.
High School students will learn the power of growing and harvesting, the benefits of healthy eating, and the importance of eliminating hunger. Participating students would be able to transform their newfound STEM knowledge into action by learning at the Southbridge Area office, on how to grow a variety of green, leafy vegetables, learn about hydroponics, the germinating process, and harvesting. Wellness and healthy eating will be a part of the curriculum, as well as awareness and advocacy geared towards eliminating food deserts in our community.
Students in the program will meet once a week. Applications are open and space is limited.
For more information, contact Miurka Torres, Program Director at 508-860-2244 or by [email protected].
Cornerstone Bank donates $15,000 to UMass Memorial Health
Cornerstone Bank, a community bank with 12 locations throughout Central Massachusetts, has donated $15,000 to UMass Memorial Health to help launch a nutrition-focused food pharmacy at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
The aim of the on-campus food pharmacy will be to provide patients at higher risk of food insecurity with access to healthy food options that align with the diet recommendations of their physicians.
Patients found to be at risk of food insecurity will be given a “prescription” to the food pharmacy. They will then meet with a registered dietician who will review their prescription and provide nutritional counseling. Once counseling is complete, patients will be provided foods that meet their unique dietary needs.
Lead image: Worcester Bravehearts/Facebook
