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| Monson Savings Bank’s President & CEO Dan Moriarty (far left) and AVP Community Lending Officer Wil Morales, who also serves on the board for Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services (far right), proudly presented the Bank’s donation to Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services’ CEO Shannon M. Rudder (center left) and Chief Development Officer Claudia Pazmany (center right).
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank proudly announced a $10,000 donation to the Emergency Food Pantry operated by Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to supporting local families and individuals facing food insecurity. The donation was presented by Monson Savings Bank’s President & CEO Dan Moriarty and AVP Community Lending Officer Wil Morales, who also serves on the board of Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), to MLKFS CEO Shannon M. Rudder and Chief Development Officer Claudia Pazmany. The MLKFS Emergency Food Pantry provides essential nourishment to individuals and families facing food insecurity in the Greater Springfield area. With rising demand, the contribution from Monson Savings Bank will help ensure the pantry remains stocked and accessible to those who rely on its services. “This donation reflects our deep commitment to the communities we serve,” said Dan Moriarty, President & CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “We are honored to support the vital work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services and help provide food security to our neighbors.” Wil Morales, AVP Community Lending Officer and board member of MLK Family Services, added, “As someone who sees firsthand the impact of MLKFS, I am proud to be part of a Bank that steps up when our community needs us most. This gift will make a real difference.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Food Pantry, located at the Community Center on 3 Rutland Street in Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood, provides critical emergency food services to individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout Hampden County. Operating every Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Pantry offers a variety of food items, including meats, dairy, baked goods, and fresh or canned produce, based on availability. As a “Choice” program, shoppers select their own items rather than receiving pre-packed bags, and while proof of residency is requested, no one is turned away. The Pantry is staffed by a dedicated program director and supported by over twenty weekly volunteers, with food donations supplied by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and other grocery partners. Additionally, MLK Family Services hosts a Mobile Food Bank in partnership with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the same location. All shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags, and SNAP eligibility screenings are available onsite. To learn more, please visit: https://www.mlkjrfamilyservices.org/families/ Receiving the donation, Shannon M. Rudder, CEO of MLKFS, expressed heartfelt gratitude, “At a time when funding cuts threaten the very safety nets our communities rely on, this investment in our emergency food pantry is more than just financial support, it’s a statement of belief in our mission and those who we are honored to serve. Our pantry team is powered by the heart and hands of devoted volunteers who show up every day with one goal: to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Our partnership with Monson truly bolsters our ability to meet the growing need and reaffirms that compassion and commitment still win, even in the hardest of times.” “We are incredibly grateful to Monson Savings Bank for their continued generosity,” said Claudia Pazmany, MLKFS Chief Development Officer. “Their support feeds our mission to lead with hope and drive action, shaping futures with dignity and compassion across cultures and generations. ” To learn more about Monson Savings Bank’s commitment to our communities, please visit: https://www.monsonsavings.bank/connect/our-community/our-community-commitment.html About Monson Savings Bank Incorporated as a mutually chartered community bank in 1872, Monson Savings Bank has one of the longest tenures of service and stability in its market. Civic leaders chartered the bank with the intent to give working men and women the opportunity to save, which – incredibly, they could not do prior to the bank’s inception. Today, Monson Savings Bank retains its legacy of empowerment through savings, but has expanded to serve its customers with a variety of innovative financial services, including digital banking, online mortgage applications and business banking, and commercial lending. The bank has expanded on its promise of “where people save, businesses prosper, and communities benefit” by opening offices in Hampden, Wilbraham, Ware, and most recently East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The bank also opened a retail and business loan operations center in Wilbraham in 2020. Member FDIC, Member DIF, Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID #613363.
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“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”– Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.SPRINGFIELD, MA – Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc. announces the appointment of Ariana M. Williams, BSPH, MPA, as the organization’s first-ever Chief of Public Health Strategy & Innovation. William’s journey with MLK Family Services began in 2018 as a part-time Community Health Worker, after earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from American International College (AIC) as a member of the program’s second graduating class. Within nine months, she was promoted to become the organization’s first Director of Public Health, where she spent three years leading initiatives that strengthened community health, public health programming, and youth development. After a brief period away, she returned in February 2023 as a Grants Consultant, helping to expand and sustain critical programs. In this new role, she steps into a historic leadership role as the organization’s first-ever Chief of Public Health Strategy & Innovation, where she will integrate public health strategies into the organization’s core mission, develop new community-driven initiatives, and strengthen strategic partnerships that advance health equity. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ariana back home to MLK Family Services to fill this inaugural role of Chief of Public Health Strategy and Innovation. This role marks a bold step forward in our commitment to advancing community health and well-being, inspired by our strategic planning process. Ariana’s passion for public health and her deep connection to our community make her an exceptional leader to integrate innovative strategies that will help us meet the evolving needs of those we serve. Together, we will continue to work toward Dr. King’s vision of creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.” shares MLKFS President & CEO, Shannon M. Rudder, MBA. A Springfield native, Williams is also the CEO & Founder of Catalyst for Equity Consulting, where she helps nonprofits strengthen their position in the public health ecosystem by aligning with public health funding, developing evidence-based programs, and driving systemic change. She has led community-based initiatives in problem gambling prevention, gun violence prevention, food insecurity and nutrition, and mental health advocacy. In 2019, Williams led a cohort of Junior Community Health Workers, whose advocacy efforts played an instrumental role in raising the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 in Springfield, MA. Their work later contributed to the movement to eliminate flavored tobacco products; a tactic used by the tobacco industry to target youth. In 2020, she co-led Springfield’s first-ever Youth Mental Health Advisory Board, “Beat the Odds,” creating a safe space and platform for young people to support one another, share lived experiences and influence mental health policies and resources. Williams earned her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Westfield State University in 2024. She is also an adjunct professor at American International College, teaching in the same public health program she graduated from. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Rise, L.E.A.P, & Achieve Foundation Inc. and the board of Anti-Racism Community Organizers (ARCO). Williams is committed to ensuring MLK Family Services continues to be a trusted leader in community health, advocacy, and empowerment. “Stepping into this role is not just a career milestone—it is a continuation of my purpose. MLK Family Services has played a pivotal role in my growth, both professionally and personally, and I am honored to now help shape its future. Public health is about community, and I look forward to deepening our impact, expanding critical services, and ensuring that our work remains a trusted resource for those who need it most.” – Ariana M. Williams
For inquiries, please reach out to Claudia Pazmany at cpazmany@mlkjrfs.org. |
