Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services

05/30/2026

Hard times don’t stop us. They clarify us. 💛

Rania Kfuri knows it firsthand.

As a proud MLKFS Board Member, she’s seen what it means to have an anchor — an organization that doesn’t flinch in difficult times, but builds. Invests. Shows up. Every. Single. Time. An organization that invests in the people and neighborhoods it was born to serve.

That’s what your gift makes possible.

This Wednesday, June 3 is MLKFS GIVE$ Day — one day to pour back into the community that pours into all of us. When you give, we give right back. In programs. In presence. In hope.

🔗 The giving link is live: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

And remember to join us at White Lion Brewing for our MLKFS community Celebration to share in a spectacularly fun evening of great food, raffle experiences and connection! 4.30-6:30 -then head over to the Pridelands!

When you GIVE, MLKFS GIVE$. 💛

Presented by PeoplesBank.

05/29/2026

✨ The smiles say it all! ✨

A heartfelt thank you to Jasen Hodge, Club Manager at BJ’s Wholesale Club, for visiting with us this week — learning about our broad array of programs, “bumping into” some past BJ’s Charitable Foundation investments, and receiving updates on current funding of laptops and language assistance for our community.

We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to exploring meaningful ways BJ’s Wholesale Club can support the mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services.

As the cost of living continues to rise, the needs of our community shift daily — and more families find themselves increasingly vulnerable.

Emergency food pantry support provides immediate, flexible relief for families working hard to keep their households stable and their children thriving. Your partnership helps us close real gaps and deliver on our promise of shaping futures and transforming generations.

When you give, MLKFS puts it right back into our youth and families. You give. We give back.

Pictured: Jasen Hodge, BJ’s Club Manager, and our incredible MLKFS Food Pantry Manager, Lenise Williams. 💛🖤

We look forward to deepening this relationship and the impact we can create together for Mason Square.

05/28/2026

We’re proud to recognize Florence Bank as a HOPE Sponsor of MLKFS Give$ Day — June 3, 2026! 🧡 🎉

One day. Endless impact.

When hope feels distant, MLKFS opens a door. Your gift — whatever the size — sends a child into a classroom with confidence. Keeps a family at the table. Says: you belong here, and your future matters.

Thank you, Florence Bank, for believing that. 💜

Give on June 3 or at live link in bio or here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

05/27/2026

What a community!

This morning, MLKFS President & CEO Shannon M. Rudder and Claudia Pazmany, Chief Development Officer had the pleasure of joining the Mass Appeal on WWLP team to share the story behind MLKFS GIVE$ Day — and what it means to keep Dr. King’s dream alive in Western Massachusetts.

GIVE$ Day is our one-day online giving event dedicated to the youth and families at the heart of our Beloved Community. Every dollar raised goes directly back to the people we serve in the 413.

One day. Endless impact.

The giving link is live now — or join us on June 3! 💛
👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

Watch the full segment here.

(Mass Appeal) – Helping Keep the Dream Alive with an annual one day fundraising event hosted by Martin Luther King Junior Family Services in Greater Springfield–dedicated to being the k…

05/26/2026

🌟 One Day. Endless Impact. 🌟

A huge THANK YOU to Chrissy Kiddy and Matt Bannister of — our Presenting Sponsor — for leading the way for MLKFS GIVE$ Day on June 3rd! 💛💙

Watch their message and then join them — because the Beloved Community isn’t built once. It’s built every day.

When systems fail, MLKFS shows up. When hope feels distant, MLKFS opens a door. Your gift — whatever size — becomes part of something lasting. It sends a child into a classroom with confidence. It keeps a family at the table. It says: you belong here, and your future matters.

👉 Give on June 3rd at link in bio or at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

05/23/2026

We’re looking for a Chief Development Officer to join the MLKFS team. If you’re passionate about the Springfield community and ready to put your fundraising skills to work for a mission that matters — we’d love to hear from you.
$80,000 | Full-time | Link in bio or here: https://www.mlkjrfamilyservices.org/job-openings/

05/20/2026

What happens when powerful women leaders show up with purpose, curiosity, and heart? ✨

We were honored to welcome our partners from the Department of Children & Families for an on-site visit to MLK Family Services — sharing our work, our mission, and our commitment to strengthening children and families across our community.

The energy in the room was electric, and the excitement around future collaboration rooted in uplifting youth and families was undeniable. 💛

This is what true partnership looks like — and it’s just the beginning.

Rooted in purpose. Centered in care. Together in service of children and families in the 413.

🔗 Learn more about our programs at the link in bio.

🌟 Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It keeps families together. It makes dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

05/19/2026

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf. This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — Brenda Hill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker, honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

05/15/2026

When neighbors show up for neighbors, the Beloved Community comes to life.

This weekend, neighbors across East Longmeadow answered the call and put out food for the annual Postal Service Stamp Out Hunger.

We were deeply moved to receive nearly 3,000 pounds of food (!!) and that’s only the half of it!

St. Michael’s Open Pantry also benefitted and was the recipient of the other half of this generosity! Spreading the love.

We can’t help but feel so grateful for this outpouring of support FROM neighbors FOR our neighbors. As we prepare for our premier MLKFS GIVE$ Day on June 3, we know when YOU give, we give right back. This food arrived on a Monday. By Thursday it was distributed to over 220 neighbors at our weekly pantry. Pouring your giving into the hands of others.

It takes all of us to build the Beloved Community.

Join us on June 3 - GIVES Day is one day. Your gift - whatever size - becomes part of something lasting. It sends a child into a classroom with confidence. It keeps a family at the table.

The MLKFS GIVE$ Day link is active and in our bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

05/14/2026

🗓️ SAVE-THE-DATE ❤️Announcing our MLKFS GIVE$ Day - June 3! ✨
One Day. Endless Impact.

On June 3, 2026, Springfield — we’re coming together for MLKFS GIVE$ Day, presented by PeoplesBank.

This is a day of giving. Because the Beloved Community isn’t built once — it’s built every day.

Every dollar raised goes directly into the programs that meet our children, families, and community members where they are — from STEAM to social emotional learning, from food access to mental health support, from economic opportunity to hope.

When systems fail, MLKFS shows up.

When hope feels distant, we open a door.

Your gift — whatever size — becomes part of something lasting. It sends a child into a classroom with confidence. It keeps a family at the table. It says: you belong here, and your future matters.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services carries that work forward — right here in Springfield, uplifting the youth and families of our own neighborhoods stretching our impact across the region.

Mark your calendars. Bring your neighbors. Because we build the Beloved Community together.

✨ GIVE$ Day is coming June 3. Giving link is in our bio or found here at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/. ✨

✨✨Sponsorships✨available - don’t YOU want to play a part in our endless impact! Check in with Claudia to spotlight you as a partner in this work!

And…topping off our MLKFS GIVE$ Day with our friends at White Lion Brewing!
Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 4:30-6:30pm
More details to come!