CELEBRATING 21 YEARS!

Connect with Women’s Way:
program@uw-fh.org to reach UWFH staff

Blooming Backpacks 2026

Thanks so much to all who gave so generously to the Women's Way Blooming Backpacks 2026 school supply drive! From all that was collected, more than 300 local students are receiving the new backpacks and supplies they need to start off the school year right. We also gave away 330 free children’s books to distributing agencies.

This was made possible with the help of our community partners: individuals, organizations, businesses, and volunteers who helped gather backpacks and supplies, spread the word, and then distributed these needed supplies to students in Franklin County.

What is Blooming Backpacks?

Women’s Way has provided hundreds of backpacks to local families each year since 2005. By providing free backpacks filled with essential school supplies, the annual Women’s Way Blooming Backpacks initiative helps take an expense off of families’ plates, and guarantees that students can begin the school year confidently and equipped with important learning tools.

Trusted United Way partner agencies, focused on child and family programming, directly distribute the backpacks collected to students in need throughout Franklin County. In 2026, these organizations included:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA

• Mary Lyon Foundation

• Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Family Center and Youth Programs

• The Heartwing Center

• The United Arc

Blooming Backpacks in the News

• The Greenfield Recorder, 8/5/2026: “PHOTOS: Backpacks abound at annual United Way collection event”

• The Greenfield Recorder, 7/23/2026: “Aug. 4 drop-off event set for annual Blooming Backpacks campaign”

• The Greenfield Recorder, 8/8/25: “In 21st year, Blooming Backpacks drive gathers 337 backpacks, greatly exceeding 2024 collection”

• The Greenfield Recorder, 7/25/25: “Blooming Backpacks drive ends Aug. 5”

• WWLP, 7/8/25: “Greenfield Cooperative Bank holds school supply drive for students in need” - Thanks to GCB for supporting Blooming Backpacks!

Supper for Six 2026

THANK YOU to all who gave so generously to the Women's Way Supper for Six 2026 food drive. From all that was collected, more than 450 local students and their families were able to enjoy a filling dinner (plus a few more!) over February school vacation in 2026.

This was made possible with the help of our community partners: individuals, organizations, businesses, and volunteers who helped gather food and donations, spread the word, and distributed these basic need items out to our neighbors.

Trusted United Way partner agencies distributed donated bags to students and their families through their programming, including:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA

• Community Action’s Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantries

• Franklin County Community Meals Program

• Mary Lyon Foundation

• The United Arc

• The Salvation Army

• The Heartwing Center

Supper for Six 2026 in the News + Event Photos

• The Greenfield Recorder, 2/17/2026: “Women’s Way sees boost in support during Supper for Six donation drive”

• The Greenfield Recorder, 2/6/2026: ”22nd annual Supper for Six food drive draws near”

• Wanda Mooney, 2/3/2026: “Supper for Six 2026: Supporting Local Families Through Community Giving”

About Women’s Way

Formed in 2005 by a group of local women who wanted a hands-on way to drive change in Franklin County, Women’s Way is an integral part of United Way. 

Women’s Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Franklin County. We are a diverse, vibrant community, bound together by a powerful sense of belonging — to each other, to the organization’s mission, and to the communities we call home.

Each year Women’s Way hosts two signature events: Supper for Six, which helps cover the food gap many families deal with during the February school break, and Blooming Backpacks, a school supply drive to make sure every student is ready for the new school year.

In 2016, Women’s Way recognized adequate access to oral healthcare as a persistent issue for our community and hosted its first oral health drive. In 2017, Women’s Way partnered with the Community Health Center of Franklin County to provide free basic dental check-ups and insurance enrollments.

Interested in Igniting Change with Women’s Way?

Email: program@uw-fh.org

You can find Women’s Way on Facebook, as well!

Why Engage?

• You’ll be a part of a community of like-minded women who contribute their personal passions, best ideas, and unique strengths to the mission of building stronger communities.

• Volunteer within our community alongside others looking to create change.

• Network and collaborate with key business and community leaders at exclusive events.

• Learn more about critical issues impacting our community.

• Advocate for key community issues at the local and state level.