In partnership with our community, Springfield Family Center has connected families to charitable food resources since 1971.
In partnership with our community, Springfield Family Center has connected families to charitable food resources since 1971.
Family Center Welcomes Melissa Valcourt as New Exec. Dir.
Springfield Family Center (SFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Valcourt, MSLD, as its new Executive Director, bringing more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong commitment to community, collaboration, and service.
Springfield Family Center is a community-based charitable food organization dedicated to providing resources to food-insecure neighbors throughout the greater Springfield area. Rooted in compassion and community, SFC strives to ensure individuals and families seeking assistance are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect.
Throughout her career, Melissa has worked in community-based and human service organizations, including serving in leadership roles as Executive Director of Spark! Community Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Director of the Charlestown Senior Center. Her extensive experience in nonprofit management, strategic planning, fundraising, financial oversight, staff development, and community engagement, coupled with her relationship-centered leadership philosophy and vision for the future, will serve her well as she steps into this important leadership role at SFC.
At the heart of Melissa’s leadership philosophy is a simple belief: strong organizations are built through strong relationships.
“When I think about why I chose to come to Springfield Family Center, I keep coming back to one thing: people,” Melissa said. “I was drawn to the Center because of its mission and because of the incredibly important role it plays in the lives of individuals and families in Springfield and the surrounding communities.”
Tara Chase, Chair of the Springfield Family Center Board of Directors, said the Board was especially drawn to Melissa’s experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to community.
“Springfield Family Center has a long history of being a place our neighbors can turn to for support, and the Board wanted a leader who understood the importance of protecting that foundation while also helping us think about what comes next,” Chase said. “Melissa brings a strong combination of nonprofit leadership experience, creativity, compassion, and a genuine desire to listen. We are excited to welcome her to SFC and to work alongside her as we strengthen partnerships, plan for the future, and continue responding to the needs of our community.”
Melissa holds a Master of Leadership from Granite State College, as well as bachelor’s and associate degrees in Business Management. As she begins her new role, she says listening, learning, and building relationships throughout the Springfield community will be among her first priorities.
“I’m not coming into this role believing that I have all the answers,” Melissa said. “I’m coming with experience, curiosity, energy, and a willingness to listen. I’m excited to learn from this community, to work alongside the incredible people already invested in the Center, and to see what we can accomplish together.”
The Springfield Family Center Board of Directors looks forward to working with Melissa to build upon the strong foundation already in place while planning for the organization’s future. Priorities will include strengthening community partnerships, expanding volunteer and community engagement, supporting staff, pursuing sustainable funding opportunities, and developing a strategic vision responsive to the changing needs of the community.
Melissa hopes SFC will continue to be a place where asking for help is met with compassion rather than judgment.
“My hope for the future of Springfield Family Center is that we continue to be a trusted, welcoming, and essential resource for individuals and families throughout our community,” Melissa said. “I want us to honor the history and relationships that have made the Center what it is today while also being bold enough to imagine what it can become tomorrow.”
That vision includes bringing businesses, nonprofits, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, volunteers, donors, and residents together around the shared goal of strengthening the Springfield community.
“I want us to be an organization that is willing to ask, ‘What’s possible?’ rather than simply, ‘What have we always done?’” Melissa said.
The Springfield Family Center Board of Directors welcomes Melissa to the organization and looks forward to introducing her to the individuals, families, volunteers, donors, businesses, and community partners who make the Center’s work possible.
Melissa can be reached at (802) 885-3646 or mvalcourtsfc@outlook.com
Springfield Family Center named 2025 Organization of the Year!
We are honored to receive the Organization of the Year Award at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.
This recognition belongs to our entire community. For nearly six decades, SFC has worked alongside individuals and families with compassion, hope, and support.
We sincerely thank our donors, volunteers, community partners, and neighbors for making this work possible. Together
Springfield Family Center Services
Drop by for a Free Meal and Snacks
Access our Food Shelf Bi-Weekly
View our Simple, Affordable, and Delicious Recipe Collection
Resources for Accessing Other Local Social Service Organizations
Helping our Food Insecure Neighbors
Springfield Family Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves our food insecure neighbors in the greater Springfield area. Many in our community struggle with knowing where their next meal will come from:
Springfield Family Center’s Ongoing Response to food Insecurity in our Community:
In the last fiscal year, SFC rose to meet the growing need:
- School Pantry: 1,483 lbs of food distributed to 141 student households.
- Recipe Kits: Distributed to 114 families
- Prepared Meals: 25,523 meals made and distributed
- Bread Distribution: 14,912 loaves shared
- Fresh Produce Access: 5,060 individuals served
- Holiday Meal Boxes: 56 boxes, feeding 275 individuals
Food Shelf: 61,936 lbs of food distributed through 1,065 visits, serving 2,155 people cumulatively Including:
- 87 veterans
- 505 seniors
- 444 children
- 693 individuals living with a disability
Community Meals Prepared: As mentioned, a total of 25,523 meals were made and distributed. Of these:
· 695 meals were provided to veterans
· 5,411 meals served seniors
· 1,836 meals went to children
· 5,671 meals supported individuals with disabilities
Emergency Meal Program:
279 meals distributed after hours via the Town Library. We also supply shelf stable food to the Springfield Town Police Station, Community Health Team, and Local Resource Center for after-hour needs.
YOU CAN HELP BY BUYING A MEAL FOR A NEIGHBOR
For $10 you can “buy” an entire prepared meal for one person or enough ingredients from our food shelf to provide an entire meal for a household consisting of 2-3 people.
Springfield Family Center Thanks You for Your Support!
Please Consider Becoming a Sustaining Donor
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