NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire Veterans Agent Stephen Roy said the veterans food pantry is in short supply with an increased need in the community.
"We continue to see more and more folks in this time of need," Roy said. "The price of retail food in grocery stores has exploded, nearly doubling since 2021 with no end in sight. Although our food bank certainly doesn't have everything, it surely lessens the sting at the cash register when folks must buy what we don't have."
He said, with his assistant Tina Samson, the department has helped save local veterans many tens of thousands of dollars since the pantry opened in 2018 as a permanent home for the office's food and clothing donations.
He added that since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been harder to stay stocked.
"We have a constant need for supplies, year-round. The time of year doesn't really affect how often those in need visit the pantry," Roy said. "Ever since COVID, we've seen our suppliers diminish and/or disappear altogether. We've been surviving almost exclusively on donations since 2021 but hope to see things change in the future."
Specifically, the food pantry needs nonperishable food items including canned goods, dried and boxed food items and generalized, bulk food items as well as toiletries and personal cleanliness items. Items can be dropped off at North Adams City Hall
"City Hall in North Adams is always best since there is an appropriate loading dock behind the building located adjacent to the food bank," he said. "However, if folks have donations needing to be picked up, we could certainly make a special trip."
Roy's office is located in Room 101 on the first floor of City Hall. He can be reached at 413-662-3040.
Roy services veterans in North Adams, Williamstown, Adams, Dalton, Clarksburg, Florida, Savoy, Lanesborough, Cheshire and New Ashford.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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