GREAT BARRINGTON, There will be a fundraising pickleball yournament to benefit Berkshire Bounty, a 501(c)(3) food recovery organization that provides food to those in need throughout the county.

 

"We're excited to support Berkshire Bounty. We hope that people will come and support this important Berkshire County resource and have fun!" said Joan Ury and Susan Ferlauto, event committee co-chairs.

 

The size of Berkshire County's food-insecure population continues to grow. According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, the food insecurity rates in Berkshire County grew by almost 2.5 percent between 2021 and 2022—from 8.9 percent to 11.2 percent. Since then, food price inflation has pushed the percentage of people in Berkshire County suffering from food insecurity even higher, according to a press release.

 

The pickleball tournament will be held at Bard College, Simon's Rock Kilpatrick Athletic Center Courts, in Great Barrington, on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 (Rain date: Saturday, Sept. 28). All tournament proceeds will go directly to Berkshire Bounty. The tournament is open to advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.  Each player must sign up with a partner. Teams will self-rank when registering.

 

"These benefits are gratifying to our organization and show how our community pulls together. We're so thankful," stated Mark Lefenfeld and Jay Weintraub, Berkshire Bounty co-founders and Board members. 

 

Registration began on Aug. 1, 2024, and will close on Sept. 1, 2024.  There will be a registration fee—a tax-deductible donation—with proceeds going to support the work of Berkshire Bounty's emergency food distribution programs countywide. The event will be limited to 32 teams of two players each, and prizes will be awarded to the two top winners in each division.