Freedom Credit Union collects food, money for Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union’s annual campaign for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts raised enough to cover the cost of more than 10,000 meals.

“It warms our hearts to know we’ve helped remove some of the stress families face as they struggle to keep up with the rising cost of food and other necessities,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “We’re deeply thankful for the generosity of those who helped us support our neighbors living with food insecurity.”

Freedom Credit Union collected donations of cash, nonperishable food and personal care items at all its branches for three months over the summer, raising a total of more than $3,350. For every dollar donated, the food bank can provide three meals.

In addition, food donations weighed in at nearly 1,435 pounds and were delivered to the Gray House, a member organization benefiting from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. That amounts to another 1,195 meals.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts provides food to residents in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties through its members, which include independent food pantries, meal sites and shelters.

Donovan promoted as Greenfield Cooperative Bank

GREENFIELD — Matt Donovan has been promoted to commercial associate lender at Greenfield Cooperative Bank, a newly created role.

In this position, Donovan will work with experienced commercial lenders to gain skills in deal origination, structuring, negotiation and underwriting. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, he will develop the expertise necessary to support commercial lending activities and contribute to the bank’s growth.

“We are thrilled to have Matt take on this important role,” Mike Buckmaster, senior vice president, commercial lending, said in a statement. “His expertise in commercial credit analysis, combined with his strong work ethic and dedication to customer service, will be a valuable asset to our commercial lending team.”

Peace Development Fund welcomes new executive director

AMHERST — Allistair Mallillin will join the Peace Development Fund as executive director on Nov. 1. He brings more than 15 years of experience in community organizing, fundraising and social justice philanthropy.

Mallillin previously served as director of strategy and asset building at Common Counsel Foundation, a national social justice foundation. In this role, he directed philanthropic services for donors and foundations around social justice and participatory practices, while also scaling a community-led fund called Native Voices Rising, focused on Native organizing and advocacy within the U.S. He had prior roles with Justice Funders, Philanthropy Massachusetts, the Interaction Institute for Social Change and Asian American Resource Workshop, among other organizations. He currently serves as board chair for the Asian Pacific Environmental Network in the Bay Area, as well as on the boards of Neighborhood Funders Group, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and Filipino Advocates for Justice.

“As a funder at this critical juncture for grassroots movements, our country and philanthropy, I am honored to be joining PDF and its grant partners advancing social justice and human rights,” Mallillin said in a statement. “I am excited to support and advance the deep work of my colleagues and board members, build with the full PDF community and help the organization step into this new chapter at a time when the need for PDF grows stronger each day.”

“Allistair brings leadership, passion and experience to PDF at a pivotal time in our evolution and a critical time in social justice philanthropy,” Teresa Juarez, president of the Peace Development Fund’s board of directors, said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Allistair as our executive director.”

The Peace Development Fund works to build the capacity of community-based organizations through grants, training and other resources as partners in human rights and social justice movements. Founded in 1981 by a small group of donor activists, the Peace Development Fund was organized with the vision of funding social justice through a public foundation.

The national search and executive transition process for the Peace Development Fund was guided by Eos Transition Partners, with search consultants Nancy Jackson and Hez Norton.