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Thanksgiving Angels Feeds Nearly 2,000 County Families

Carver said there is still a need and that the need has increased.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nearly 1,800 families' tables will be set with a turkey and all of the fixings on Thursday thanks to the Thanksgiving Angels.

The program, now in its 15th year, addresses food insecurity by providing a meal kit to those in need so that everyone can enjoy a holiday feast.  

The program has over 20 participating organizations, food pantries, and faith communities.  This amounts to hundreds of volunteers.

"It's a great community effort," Program coordinator Mary Wheat said. "There are people from everywhere helping."

On Monday, the South Community Food pantry on South Street was bustling with dozens of hands organizing ingredients, loading food into cars for drive-through pickup, and assisting in any way they can.

Over the weekend, volunteers made home deliveries.

Berkshire Money Management (BMM) contributed its time and money to the cause, offering a $25,000 matching donation and volunteer work.  It was believed that the match challenge has been met.

Last year, the investment advisory firm also donated $25,000 and unloaded two whole box trucks from Wohrle's full of food. 

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.