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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.
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Spectrum Health Systems also presented a $5,000 check to the program on Monday.
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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.
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Wheat, on the left, has been involved with the program for over ten years.

Thanksgiving Angels Feeds Nearly 2,000 County Families

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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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


BMM Co-founder Stacey Carver said that the need is "really there."

"And the need was even bigger this year," she explained. "So we felt like we really had to step up again this year and try to get the rest of the community to step up and help."

Spectrum Health Systems also presented a $5,000 check to the program on Monday.

Wheat said that the large donations and the small donations are all important.

"Everybody gives what they can," she added.

Information about how to sign up, donate, or volunteer can be found on the Thanksgiving Angels website.
 


Tags: donations,   food,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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