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M&J's Food Truck serves up drive-thru meals for first-responders and other essential workers on Saturday morning.
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M&J's Food Truck Serves Essential Workers in North Adams Area

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — M&J's Food Truck set up at Greylock Works on Saturday morning to serve area first-responders and essential workers a free meal.. 
 
"We wanted to do something for the community to show our support to all the first-responders and front-line workers, and all the essential workers," owners Mark and Jeanne Lapier said in a joint email. "We can't imagine what we would do without them showing up and doing what they do each and every day."
 
The meals were a thank-you for front-line workers' efforts during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
 
The Lapiers set up in the Greylock Works parking lot with a drive-thru system to maintain minimal contact. Emergency medical technicians, health-care workers, police, firefighters, employees of the sheriff's department, and even truckers were invited to stop by for a free meal.  
 
"We want them to know they are appreciated," they said. "They are keeping all our family and friends safe and healthy and it doesn't go unnoticed."
 
Breakfast was served from 6 to 11 a.m. Essential workers could choose from breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, French toast, and muffins. 
 
Lunch started at 11 and M&J's Food Truck served burgers, chicken sandwiches, shredded beef sandwiches, mac-n-cheese with different toppings and french fries. 
 
The Lapiers said they took in community donations to help fund the initiative and are planning another event. 
 
"We have seen such a HUGE response from the community and with the donations we've received we are absolutely planning another event for essential workers," they said.
 
The date has yet to be determined and they may change up the lunch menu for some variety. 
 
"Thank you to everyone putting themselves at risk during these uncertain times," they said.

Tags: COVID-19,   food truck,   


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Andrew Fitch Launches Bid for State Representative in North Berkshire

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Candidate Andrew Fitch gets a hug from his mother, Sara Prouty, who introduced him. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Andrew Fitch announced his run for state representative to an enthusiastic crowd on Tuesday morning. 
 
The two-term city councilor stressed his energy, commitment and campaign priorities of economic development, housing and regional relationships for the 13 communities in the 1st Berkshire.
 
"There are a lot of municipalities to be in, and I have that energy and drive and interest and love a good road trip," he said, speaking to the crowd at Steeple City Social, a popular lounge/cafe that he runs with business partner Meghan Daly. "A lot of people have asked me for my fresh energy and my fresh blood, and that is what I give to you, maybe not literally my blood, but I certainly get my fresh energy and ideas and drive."
 
Afterward, Fitch said he'd been approached several times over the past few years about running for state representative. But he was just getting on the City Council, opening a business and involved in community activities, so it didn't seem to be the right time. 
 
"Now that I have more time under my belt, I've been in two terms as a city councilor, and Steeple City Social is up and running and is almost a year old," he said. "It is now sustainable, not on its own, but without me having to work all the time here, I knew that I could take this on."
 
Fitch is mounting a Democratic primary challenge to John Barrett III, who won the seat in a special election in 2017 after the death of state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi. Since then, he's only had one primary challenger, Paula Kingsbury-Evans, a college student at the time, who he beat handily by 43 points. 
 
Fitch was raised in Marshfield and moved to North Adams five or six years ago — becoming immediately involved the community. He's a founder of North Adams Pride (now part of Berkshire Pride), a co-organizer of First Fridays and a board member of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. A small-business owner, he's served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and for a short time on the Airport Commission, to which is now liaison from the council. 
 
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