VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

11/10/2025

Happy National Family Caregivers Month from VA CWM!

Care begins with connection. As caregivers, you are the emotional backbone of Veterans you care for. At CSP, we’re here to walk this path with you—because no caregiver should do it alone. Caregiving Connects Us, Community Strengthens Us.
https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
https://www.caregiver.va.gov/NFCM.asp

11/09/2025

Join us in the celebration during breakfast hours on November 10. Thank you for your service!

In honor of Veterans Day, Leeds Veterans Canteen Services (VCS) invites all Veterans for a complimentary Breakfast Combo #1 or Combo #2 will be offered for the free breakfast. One cup of 12-oz coffee will be included with this offer.

*During breakfast hours only.

11/08/2025

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among Veterans, but catching it early means a much higher rate of treatment success. If you’re 50-80 years old, and used to or currently smoke ci******es, ask your provider whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Learn more about who can be screened and how. www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp

11/07/2025

Navy Veteran Donald Wallace’s life was saved by lung cancer screening. Do you need to be screened?

If you’re 50-80 years old, and if you formerly or currently smoke ci******es, ask your provider whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Learn more at www.cancer.va.gov/

11/07/2025

Join us for breakfast at the Leeds Veterans Canteen Services (VCS) Cafe!

VCS will offer a free breakfast to veterans on Friday, November 7, and Monday, November 10.

Only Breakfast Combo #1 or Combo #2 will be offered for the free breakfast. One cup of 12-oz coffee will be included with this offer.

*During breakfast hours only.

11/06/2025

Join our outreach team on Saturday, November 8, at the 5th Annual Veterans Appreciation Pig Roast. Learn about VA Healthcare and other VA resources.

🗓 November 8, 2025
📍Vanished Valley Brewing Co., 782 Center Street, Ludlow, MA
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Free event for Veterans & their families! Enjoy a pig roast meal, live music, and more!

📣Calling all Veterans📣

5th Annual Veterans Appreciation Pig Roast.

FREE FREE FREE for veterans and their families

Saturday November 8th, 2025. 1pm- food
Runs out.

Hosted by Vanished Valley 782 Center Street Ludlow, MA

11/06/2025

Project New Hope's mission is to ensure that no Veteran or military family in Western Massachusetts goes hungry or without essential support.

Sully’s Veterans Food & Baby Pantry – Westfield, MA
Hampton Ponds Plaza • 1029 North Road, Suite 9 • Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 485-7988 | www.projectnewhopema.org

Who they Serve:
Sully’s Veterans Food & Baby Pantry proudly serves:
• Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service Members
• Military families and their dependents (spouses and minor children)
• Survivor families of fallen Service Members

Sully’s Veterans Food & Baby Pantry – Westfield, MA
Hampton Ponds Plaza • 1029 North Road, Suite 9 • Westfield, MA 01085
(413) 485-7988 | www.projectnewhopema.org

Who We Serve
Sully’s Veterans Food & Baby Pantry proudly serves:
• Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service Members
• Military families and their dependents (spouses and minor children)
• Survivor families of fallen Service Members

Our mission is to ensure that no Veteran or military family in Western Massachusetts goes hungry or without essential support.

What We Provide
Non-perishable food, frozen meats, dairy, and seasonal fresh vegetables
Hygiene and feminine care products
Baby and children’s clothing, diapers, wipes, and formula
Dog and cat food

Open Weekly: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday | 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (by appointment)

Proud Partner of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
Our Westfield Pantry operates in partnership with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, helping us access healthy, nutritious food and essential products at no cost.

This partnership allows Project New Hope Inc. to:
• Serve more Veteran families across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties
• Keep 93¢ of every $1 donated going directly into programs
• Provide fresh, local, and nutritious foods year-round

We also proudly sponsor the Veterans Food Pantry at the VA Medical Center in Northampton (Leeds), MA.

Project New Hope Inc.
Where Veterans Rebuild With Honor

11/05/2025

📢We have transitioned to 5-digit dialing📢

VA Central Western Massachusetts Health Care System has officially transitioned to 5-digit phone extensions. This update expands our phone system, prevents dialing conflicts, and aligns us with VA facilities nationwide.

Here’s what you need to know:
Main Facility (Leeds Campus): Extensions now begin with a 2
• Example: 3100 → 23100
Community Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs): Extensions now begin with a 3
• Example: 9340 → 39430

This change increases the number of available extensions for future growth and helps ensure more reliable communication across our sites.

If you experience any issues connecting by phone, please confirm that you are dialing the updated 5-digit extension. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we are making this important improvement to better serve our Veterans.

11/03/2025

November 2025 Creative Art Studio Schedule.

The studio is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Sessions are open to Veterans interested in finding or expanding their creative expression. Actively engaging in an art process can promote grounding, mindfulness, reduce stress/anxiety, promote positive problem-solving, practice frustration tolerances, and find an outlet to express what words cannot.

STUDIO CLOSED:
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025
Friday, November 28th, 2025

For more information, please contact Courtney Bennett, MA, LPC, ATR-BC, Courtney.bennett1@va.gov

11/01/2025

Do you have leftover Halloween candy? Pair your sweet, with healthy fat, fiber and protein to make a balanced snack, like a trail mix! Your VA dietitian can help with more snack ideas! https://www.nutrition.va.gov/Recipes/Snacks/index.asp

10/31/2025

VACWM's Environmental Protection Specialists/GEMS Program Manager – Clean Water Begins with You!

What is stormwater pollution? It's the toxic mix of bacteria, chemicals, metals, nutrients, and other contaminants that wash over pavement and other impervious surfaces and flow down storm drains to our waterways.

Be a Leaf Hero and keep fallen leaves out of the streets!

Do not blow or rake leaves, grass clippings, brush, and tree branches into the street. These will leach nutrients into stormwater runoff and contribute to pollution in our waters. Leaf litter can also plug storm drains and increase flooding issues. Instead, mulch or compost yard waste away from streams or other waterways or dispose of it at your local landfill.

Tip #1 Keep Fallen Leaves out of the Streets:
Leaf litter leaches nutrients into stormwater runoff and contributes to pollution in our waters.

Tip #2 Clear Storm Drains of Debris:
Leaf litter and yard debris plug storm drains and increase flooding issues.

Tip #3 Don't Dump in Ditches or Streams:
Decaying leaf litter releases excess nutrients, causing eutrophication and algal blooms.

Tip #4 Compost Leaves and Yard Clippings:
Reduce added chemicals in your yard and garden by creating a natural fertilizer with composted leaves.

Reference: www.stormwater.capecodcommission.org

10/30/2025

2025 Celebration and Connection Veteran & Service Member Women Community Baby Shower

Join us for a FREE Health and Wellness Event to connect and celebrate your pregnancy journey. This event is open to enrolled and unenrolled Veterans, National Guard, reserve service members in any drilling status, and active duty service members.

A light lunch will be provided. Come enjoy the support, resources, and community, at our Community Baby Shower!

Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Worcester State College, Student Center, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602

For more information, contact Christine Dunn, christine.dunn2@va.gov, or call 413-577-0627.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate. We look forward to supporting and celebrating your journey!

Worcester State University
Project New Hope Inc. Non-Profit Veterans Organization
Massachusetts Women Veterans