Greylock Insurance Agency Makes Donation to Breaking Bread Kitchen

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Greylock Insurance Agency recently made a $250 donation to the Breaking Bread Kitchen.
The donation was matched with a $500 donation from the Arbella Insurance Foundation’s “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” initiative. The $750 check was presented by Jessica Havens, GIA Account Manager, to Paul Mulholland, Co-Chair, Breaking Bread Kitchen.

Breaking Bread is a partnership of eight South County churches and groups that volunteer on Thursday evenings to serve free hot meals to 60 to 80 community residents at the Sheffield American Legion.

 “Organizations such as the Breaking Bread Kitchen do great work by providing meals and fellowship for deserving residents," Sharon MacEachern, AVP, GIA Insurance Operations said. "GIA is always happy to support our community, and very appreciative for the matching donation given by the Arbella Foundation to help Breaking Bread continue their efforts.”


Mulholland said he is grateful for the donations.

The funds will be put to good use buying food and supplies for the Thursday night dinners that are free to all who would like to attend," he said.

Now in its seventh year, Arbella’s “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” initiative collects contributions from Arbella’s nearly 500 partner independent agents and matches each donation on a two-to-one basis up to $500 for emergency food programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, and homeless shelters throughout New England.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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