PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Haddad Subaru asked community members to "Fill and Suby" with pet food to be donated to the Berkshire Humane Society's food pantry.

 

But Haddad Subaru went a step further and pledged if the Subaru was filled, they would pay for Berkshire Humane to go on a shopping spree at Benson's Pets.

 

"Projects like this make such an impact. Our community always steps up to the plate when we put out the call that we are collecting donations," said Beth Maturevich, marketing director of Haddad Auto Group. "When we put out the challenge to fill our Suby…we wanted to make sure we took it one step further. We told the public if the Suby gets filled, [Berkshire Humane Executive Director]John Perrault and a guest (Cindy Bartlett former President of the Berkshire Humane Society) would be let loose on a two-minute shopping spree in Benson's Pets in Pittsfield." 

 

The staff at Benson's opened up the store one hour early just for the event. Each Benson's employee helped prep the scene for a few minutes before the countdown by showing Perrault and Bartlett items that were on sale or buy one get one, so they could make the best use of their time and the money that would be spent. 

 

"It was a fun, crazy, special couple of minutes," said Maturevich

 

For over a week, Haddad Subaru in Pittsfield has encouraged people to "Fill a Suby" with pet food for the Berkshire Humane Society's food pantry and shelter pets. Haddad Subaru General Manager Chris Kramek added that the shopping spree was another way to help fill out the Berkshire Humane's food bank.

 

"I created this 'shop till you drop idea' while randomly visiting the society and hearing of their food bank dwindling quickly," he said. "John has told me how paramount this food bank is for the pets in the community. I saw a need and wanted to have fun with how to supplement it!  Challenging the community, staff, and local businesses for support is one of my favorite ways to generate charitable contributions to the Berkshire Humane Society."

 

Maturevich said she was impressed by Perrault during the shopping spree. She said they were able to grab over $2,000 worth of supplies not counting items from the "Fill a Suby" Fundraiser

 

"John was incredible…it really showed how hands on he is at the shelter knowing exactly what was needed for food and products," she said.