January 28, 2026 Blog

Grounded in Community: Corporate Giving and Community Impact

Over the course of my career, including many years leading Big Y Foods, I have learned that businesses are shaped by the communities they call home. The people who work with us, who shop in our stores, and show up as partners, give real meaning to what we do each day. Families, schools, neighborhood organizations, and fellow businesses all play a role and contribute to the strength of the region, often in ways that don’t make headlines but matter deeply.

Serving as vice chair of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has given me another window into how these relationships come together. I have seen firsthand how thoughtful support, shared responsibility, and collaboration can strengthen communities, especially in moments when needs are most visible. Through the Community Foundation’s work, whether in encouraging equity and justice through its grant programs, investing in the arts community, or helping students pursue education, it’s clear that lasting impact happens when businesses listen to the needs of their community and act as true partners in the places that sustain them.

Corporate giving, especially when it invites employees to take part, plays a vital role in keeping communities strong. When companies invest in local organizations and initiatives, they are responding to real needs while helping to sustain the networks that support families, education, health, equity, and opportunity. It’s the ongoing commitment to these local partners, and to the people they serve, that keeps our communities vibrant and connected.

Food access is one example of how this work comes to life. Addressing hunger has long been a focus of Big Y’s philanthropic efforts, but it goes beyond financial support. We encourage employees to volunteer at local food banks and pantries, helping to sort and deliver food, and through initiatives like our “Sack Hunger” program, we invite customers to participate as well. These efforts create a direct and meaningful connection between Big Y, employees, and neighbors, reinforcing the idea that community care is something for which we all share responsibility.

Over the years, Big Y’s approach, like that of many businesses, has been to contribute to areas where it can make an impact, guided by the expertise of those closest to the work. When the Community Foundation launched its COVID-19 Response Fund to provide flexible support to organizations responding to the times’ urgent needs, Big Y was glad to jump in and partner with other businesses and organizations in this effort.

That same spirit of partnership has shaped our response in other moments as well, from working with the Community Foundation and statewide partners to support local farmers after devastating rains and flooding in 2023, to coming together more recently with food banks and community organizations to help ensure families impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits could access food. Supporting efforts like these allows the work already happening on the ground to reach more people and respond more quickly. In many ways, our priorities are shaped by the communities themselves. Our role is to listen, show up, and carry forward what they know is needed.

As mentioned, employees also play a large part in sustaining our region, often through volunteering, mentoring, and participating in local initiatives. At Big Y, we not only encourage this involvement but support it by offering paid time for employees to volunteer. Each store and location is also encouraged to partner with local nonprofits or municipalities on several activities each year. During the holidays, many of our stores and departments go a step further by “adopting” a family or organization, organizing food and clothing drives, or collecting toys through programs like Toys for Tots. Because grocery stores are so central to the communities we serve, we encourage our employees to build relationships with local organizations. This extends to supporting organizations like Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Adoption Center, Link to Libraries, Educare, and many, many more organizations throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.

Through my work with the Community Foundation, I’ve seen how coordinated efforts can deepen impact. When resources are aligned with local priorities and partners respond thoughtfully to emerging needs, communities become more resilient and better equipped to meet both immediate challenges and long-term goals. This work is never about a single organization or individual; it’s about supporting the network of people and programs that sustain Western Mass. True stewardship is measured by the condition and vitality of our communities. By listening, contributing, and working in partnership, we can help ensure our region continues to offer opportunities, support, and connection for everyone. I couldn’t be more excited to continue to engage with my fellow board members, our Community Foundation staff, and other partner organizations, businesses, and foundations to continue this work. As we often say in our business, we are better together!

To express your business’s interest in partnering with the Community Foundation, send a general inquiry to giving@communityfoundation.org.

Authors and Contributors:

Charlie D’Amour
Board Vice Chair