CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Tuesday--state legislators presented a check to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. These funds for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts will support 413Cares and other local partners. 22News got a chance to learn about how this will help to enhance the resources that they provide to those throughout the region. Food insecurity and housing instability are just a few of the challenges that many residents across the region are dealing with; to help provide residents with the proper resources they need to succeed, state legislators were able to secure some funding for 413Cares and other local organizations to connect residents to free and low-cost services that those in the community need. Livanna Homstead says there's a lot of need here in western Massachusetts and not just for food and housing, "Mental health, substance use, especially during the holidays, those can be big parts of what people need to find resources for as well. It can be childcare, diapers--anything." The check presentation was for $200,000. These funds will help to offer multiple resources to those in need throughout the region. This funding will also benefit Community Action of Pioneer Valley, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Quabog Hills Community Coalition, and the Berkshire Regional and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Sarita Hudson with the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts told 22News that it's important that people are aware of the resources available to them. "They don't know what resources are available to them for food pantries for housing for transportation so people who are low-income or people of color -- they don't know they have a place where they can go," says Hudson. She says knowing about all of the services--- can take the weight off of many shoulders. Local News Headlines Basketball Hall of Fame sets 2025 Enshrinement date Enough Abuse pushes for stronger child sex abuse laws State legislators award 200K to support 413Cares programs Senator Markey pushes $200B rail overhaul plan WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.