AMHERST — A food and diaper drive and a series of talks aimed at fostering mental wellness in the Amherst community are part of a recently launched Kindness Campaign by the town’s health and recreation departments.

Starting on Feb. 29, or Leap of Kindness Day as it is being called in cities and towns across the United States, the campaign is designed to foster a culture of compassion, generosity and goodwill, with the Amherst Business Improvement District joining in by offering free downtown parking.

Public Health Director Kiko Malin said in a statement that a mental health crisis has arisen from the COVID pandemic, increased social and economic inequality, and troubling world events.

“The campaign aims to send a message of hope and to remind us that we all can help to mitigate the impact of these stressors by uniting as a community to express kindness and support for our fellow human beings,” Malin said.

The Kindness Campaign can encourage everyone in Amherst to actively spread kindness, said Becky Demling, outreach director for Amherst Recreation. “By coming together and embracing acts of kindness and community service, we can cultivate a more compassionate and caring community for all,” Demling said.

A highlight of the campaign is the collection of food and diapers that will go to the Amherst Survival Center and the Early Education Center at Crocker Farm School. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries and diapers can be made at boxes at the Amherst Police Department, the Central Fire Station, the North Amherst Library, Town Hall and the Bangs Community Center.

The six-part speaker series, aimed at fostering mental wellness, starts March 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Large Activity Room at the Bangs Community Center with a workshop conducted by the Wildflower Alliance on the Alternatives to Suicide approach. The speaker series continues through the end of April.

The slogan for the campaign is “Be Kind. It’s Good for Your Mind.” Residents are invited to share stories of kindness and generosity, and get more information, at engageamherst.org/be-kind-it-is-good-for-your-mind.

Presidential primary

In-person voting for the presidential primary takes place Tuesday across the state, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ballots are available for Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties and include candidates for president, town committee representatives and state committeeman and state committeewoman positions.

In Amherst, voting locations are North Zion Korean Church, 1193 North Pleasant St., for Precinct 1A; Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant St., for Precinct 1B; Amherst Regional High School for Precincts 2A, 3A, 4A and 4B; Fort River School for Precinct 2B; Crocker Farm School for Precinct 3B; Bangs Community Center for Precinct 5A; and Munson Memorial Library for Precinct 5B.

Applicants sought

The town’s Governance, Organization and Legislation Committee is seeking more applicants to serve as a nonvoting member of the Finance Committee and as full members of the Charter Review Committee, after determining the pool of candidates is not yet sufficient.

District 3 Councilor George Ryan said at a recent meeting that the Finance Committee appointee should not be rushed, even if the person joins the committee in the midst of the budget process.

The 11 applicants for Charter Review Committee are also not enough to begin interviews, said District 5 Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier, who chairs the Governance Committee. “We need this pool to be broadened for charter commission,” Devlin Gauthier said.

That committee will spend a year reviewing the charter and bring a report to the Town Council about possible changes to consider.

Paintings to be shown

The Amherst Public Art Commission is presenting paintings by local artist Christine Mirabal at the Amherst Town Hall Gallery starting Monday and running through April 30.

A meet-the-artist reception will be held in the Town Hall Gallery on March 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Mirabal is a longtime Amherst resident who performs improv at Happier Valley Comedy in Hadley. Her paintings are inspired by nature as she depicts beauty and tranquility, with water a favorite element.

To apply to be a visiting artist, send email to publicart@amherstma.gov or go to amherstma.gov/FormCenter/Public-Art-Commission-26/Application-for-Amherst-Exhibits-105.

Woman’s Club talks

Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, will be speaking on issues before the state Legislature Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle St. The talk is open to the public.

Then, on March 7 at 6 p.m. at the clubhouse, Dr. Kate Atkinson will present on “Navigating the Complexities of the U.S. Health Care System as a Family Physician and as a Woman Business Leader.”

Meetings

MONDAY: Amherst Housing Authority, 1 p.m., community room, Jean Elder Building; Town Council, 6:30 p.m., middle school auditorium.

WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m., site plan review for mixed-use building at 45-55 South Pleasant St.