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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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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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