North Adams Employees Donate to Food Pantry
 James McClain, Alan Nelson and Mark Lincourt load up a dollie outside the Friendship Center. |
Mayor Richard Alcombright said the food drive idea was put together quickly and boxes were set up at schools, City Hall, the library, the police and fire stations, the city yard and at City Hall.
"There's less product that's coming out of the Western Massachusetts Food Bank, and there's more need all over Western Massachusetts and particularly the city of North Adams," he said Friday morning after city workers Matthew Neville and James McClain helped haul boxes into the Eagle Street pantry. It prompted the idea that "wouldn't it be great if the city and the public school system come together and put together a food drive?"
The Friendship Center has been operating at 43 Eagle St. since last February. Pantry manager Mark Lincourt said it provides food to some 80 families a week from North Adams, Clarksburg and Florida; about 600 families and individuals are on its rolls.
"We are in partnerships with our friends at the Salvation Army, the charity center in Adams and food pantry in Williamstown," said Alan Nelson, one of the founders. "We all work together to meet the basic needs of the folks ... that's the spirit of Northern Berkshire, it always has been ... we're blessed all the time."
The informal organization grew out of the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative but while its roots are in the local religious community its volunteers come from all areas.
.jpg) The center provides a package of food to 80 families a week; each family can come twice a month. |
"We want to thank everyone in the city who contributed this great amount of food that will certainly help a lot of good folks, good friends as we call them," said Nelson.
The pantry is accepting food and cash donations to keep its shelves stocked; peanut butter and canned or bottled fruits would be especially welcome. Call 413-664-0123 for more information on how to donate or drop by. Pantry hours are Wednesdays from 11 to 2 and 4 to 6.
Thanks also go to Ellen Sutherland, Lisa Loomis and Veronica Bosley for spearheading the drive and the city employees who contributed; to Mark and Lois Daunais for donating the pantry space and use of the former Papyri bookshop during pantry hours; and the volunteers who keep the pantry in operation.
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