We recently had a conversation with Verne McArthur, Wellspring donor and supporter where he answered questions about his support of Wellspring.

Q. How did you learn about Wellspring?
Verne: I learned about Wellspring from Fred Rose. We have been friends for a long time. He gave me a lot of information about worker cooperatives and anchor institutions and I thought it was interesting and a worthy cause to support.

Q. What got you interested in volunteering and supporting Wellspring?
Verne: The expansion of Wellspring into other forms of community economics and solidarity economy including land trusts and the community kitchen. It’s a more holistic economic framework.

Q. What projects have you been working on with Wellspring?
I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield whose values and involvement in the community is what Wellspring supports. I am always looking for ways for Wellspring and my church to collaborate in solidarity economy projects.

Q. What work with Wellspring excites you most?
The whole package excites me! I love the Wellspring Harvest Greenhouse and that I am able to buy their lettuce at Big Y. I am also fascinated by the fab lab and how in general Wellspring is expanding into more holistic community programs.

Q. Tell us an experience with Wellspring that inspired you.
The MASEN festival that was held in August in Grafton, MA inspired me. It was inspiring seeing so many young people engaged in several projects around the state and that’s very encouraging. They are building for the future as the present is coming apart.

Verne leads a Singing Resistance sing-along every Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at South Congregational Church
45 Maple St., Springfield, MA