For decades, Boston civil rights leader Mel King hosted brunches in his South End home, opening the door each weekend to create a space for the community to come together, talk about life, and tackle important issues. His legacy lives on through the South End Brunch Club, which continues to provide a safe and welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect over food, conversation, and a shared sense of purpose. Founder and CEO Heather Cook and Edwin Sumpter, the Club's Chief Communications Officer, talk with Nichole about how their unique approach to community engagement and how the lessons from Mel King live on, years after his passing.

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It's time to get spicy at your local Boston Public Library branch! The BPL has kicked off a friendly competition, the Spice Race, to collect spices, seasonings, and herbs for those in need. The participating branch that collects the most by April 15th will win a special prize for its patrons! Stephanie Chace, the BPL's Nutrition Literacy Coordinator, is based at the BPL's Nutrition Lab inside the Shaw-Roxbury Branch. She joins the show this week to share details about the contest and other nutrition resources the Library has to offer.

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From his mom's 50-year career as a special ed teacher to his wife's brother's journey with a rare disease, Kiss 108 afternoon host Mikey Vinci says his family's new venture, the V Family Foundation, draws from their experience to make a real difference in the lives of families with special needs. The Foundation hopes to provide more than just financial support during the toughest moments; the family also wants to connect those impacted with resources, solidarity, and community. Mikey shares his family's story, and ways you can help, on this week's show.

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Over 25 years, WE CAN has become a lifeline for women navigating life's challenges on the Cape. The non-profit utilizes a robust network of volunteers to offer mentorship, business development advice, financial services, legal help, and other resources to women from the Cape bridges to Provincetown, all for free. Outreach and Volunteer Director Sunny Fellman joins the show this week to tell WE CAN's inspiring story. She also shares information on how you can get involved, from volunteering to donating, and how women can access WE CAN's services. 

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The Battlegreen Run Foundation has been a staple in Lexington since 1996, growing its annual race into a beloved event that brings the community together to help dozens of local non-profits. This week, the Foundation's president, Steve Sartori, talks with Nichole about how the event has evolved over the years, and shares information on how you can still get involved before the November 1st race. Peter Noonan, president and CEO of Supportive Living, Inc., one of the Foundation's partners, shares how the race has helped to raise critical awareness and funds for brain injury services.

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While we're still feeling the pinch of high gas prices at the pump and high food prices at the supermarket, these hikes are really having an impact on the people who bring us our favorite foods on the go: food truck owners! This week, Michael Crooks, owner and operator of the Sarcastic Swine food truck in Abington, talks with Nichole about the challenges of running a food truck business in today's economy, and the logistics of working in a mobile barbeque restaurant.

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As fall sets in, we New Englanders are bracing for the potential damage to our homes and property that comes with Nor'easters and winter storms. With the rise of scammers and unscrupulous contractors, it's essential to be prepared and do your due diligence before hiring someone to fix up your home. Paula Fleming, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at the BBB of Eastern New England, joins Nichole this week to share valuable advice on how to navigate the hiring process and avoid getting scammed in the process.

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A common practice in the animal rescue world has some people scratching their heads this time of year. Many rescues and shelters hold off adoptions of black cats in October, concerned that they'll be adopted for nefarious purposes or abandoned after Halloween. Is this superstition-based decision really necessary? Mike Keiley, Vice President of the Animal Protection Division at MSPCA-Angell in Jamaica Plain, says absolutely not! He talks with Nichole this week about the misconceptions surrounding black cats, and how you can help them connect these cats with loving forever homes.

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Underwear isn't something we talk about that often, but when you don't have it, it can be a major problem! With the price of clothing skyrocketing, 1 in every 3 kids in Massachusetts is clothing insecure, and that number is worse when it comes to underwear access. Cocotree Kids of Natick has grown from a small neighborhood collection to a statewide operation, connecting tens of thousands of kids to clean, hygienic underwear. On this week's show, founder Catherine Maloy tells their story and discusses their efforts to get the community involved to serve 100,000 local kids.

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