PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires was awarded $10,000 in grant funding from the Papa Johns Foundation. 

 

The money will go toward the nonprofit's Triple Play dinner program that provides free meals to members from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Lighthouse Cafe.

 

These days a lot of families don't have money and this program helps, the club's Program Director Cameron Stockton said, adding that the only thing the Boys and Girls Club asks is for the kids to be a member, be safe, and enjoy themselves.

 

The program serves approximately 70 to 80 kids a night. 

 

"I was raised by a single mother and I remember there was nights where she didn't get off work till about eight o'clock and I was here. And to help her out there were some people that used to cook and so forth. So I completely understand," Stockton said. 

 

"And some of these families and parents, they go through a lot and to have this program here and for them not to worry that their kids are not fed helps out big time." 

 

The only time kids have to pay for food at the club is when they go to the concession stand on the first floor. The meals at the Lighthouse Cafe helps the kids feel safe and comfortable before they go home, Stockton said. 

 

The organization tries to network with businesses throughout the community to build partnerships that aid in fulfilling the its mission. In addition to the grant funding, the Papa Johns Foundation also provided gifts for six club members.

 

The children were selected based on their character in the club. The gifts are a great way to show the members the club's appreciation for their involvement in the program, Stockton said. 

 

The Boys and Girls Club offers a variety of programming for children from preschool to Grade 12.

 

The organization's Triple Play model prioritizes its members' mind, body, and soul. The body is having kids be active at least 60 minutes a day, the mind is educating kids on nutrition and health and aiding with homework, and the soul is socializing with their peers, Stockton said. 

 

Children get to interact with a diverse range of peers from different backgrounds. Providing kids an outlet to interact with others they are able to learn from each other's experience and build a bond with others who may have similar experiences as them, Stockton said.

 

Over the past year, Papa Johns has been working to strengthen its relationships with organizations in the area so they can have a better and more secure involvement with the community, Papa Johns District Manager for Massachusetts Ed Cruz said. 

 

The foundation launched this grant program last year and the second year its awarded $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club. The Papa Johns Foundation also has expanded the program across multiple areas. 

 

Jazmine Charles, marketing director for Papa Johns franchise owner Disrupt Foods, said the Papa Johns has strengthened its relationships with the organizations in the areas it serves over the past year and leveraged those relationships to spread holiday cheer.

 

Papa Johns donates both time and money to local organizations to help better the community, said Director of Operations Sam Charles said. Past efforts included spring cleanings and the donation of pizzas to community organizations.

 

Building community is one of Papa Johns' principles, Jazmine Charles said. 

 

Co-founder and President of Disrupt Foods Joseph Johnson and many of the organizations' leadership were "club kids," she said. "So, it's important to give back to those communities and to those organizations that built us, and helped us become where we are today.

 

"And the Boys and Girls Club is super important and left an indelible impact on us. So, we are always looking to give back to those who raise us basically." 

 

While speaking with Stockton, Cruz said he would like to see future initiatives with the club to help it fulfill its mission and aid the community.