Market 32 Supports Local Food Banks Through May

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32 has launched its two-month-long "Fill A Glass with Hope/Fill a Plate with Promise" campaign in partnership with the Northeast American Dairy Association, Garelick Farms, and local food banks. 
 
From May 1 to June 30, customers will be given the opportunity to round up their totals at the register to help provide local food banks with the means to purchase milk and other nutritious foods for the families they serve.
 
When school lets out this summer, more than 22 million children lose access to free or reduced-price meal programs. For many children in need, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients that help power the simple joys of summer – are missing. Participating in this campaign will help get milk and food items to those who may miss it most.
 
"The American Dairy Association continues to go above and beyond in its efforts to bring fresh milk to those in need," said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market32's director of community relations. "We are proud to support their work in helping local families, especially during these times of increased food insecurity."
 
The American Dairy Association is leading the way to bring fresh meals to families in need. Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is rarely donated. Raising funds through grants, individual donors and corporate sponsors, the American Dairy Association keeps 100 percent of all donations local to help deliver milk and essential nutrition to families with children in need in the community.
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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street.  The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First. 

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said. 

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers. 

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center.  It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said. 

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it." 

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County. 

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle.  The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said. 

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