Planet Fitness Donates 800 Pounds of Food to Combat Hunger in Western Mass

12:52PM / Saturday, December 07, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — National Fitness Partners (NFP), a Planet Fitness franchise group operating 175 locations across 13 states, marked Giving Tuesday by donating 800 pounds of food to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank.

This contribution equates to approximately 800 meals for local families facing food insecurity.

The donation comes from six NFP locations in the region, supporting the Food Bank’s mission to end hunger through partnerships with farms, state and federal programs, and community organizations. In Western Massachusetts, food insecurity affects 12.1 percent of residents, including 17.3 percent of children, with Hampden, Berkshire, and Hampshire counties experiencing the greatest need, according to a press release.

NFP regularly partners with local organizations through volunteer work, food drives, and fundraisers to address critical needs in the community.

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Boutique General Store Opens on Holden Street in North Adams

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:36AM / Tuesday, October 27, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A newly opened boutique general store on Holden Street offers local and regional products along with a curated selection of gifts, wines and artwork.

"It's just a lot of my favorite makers and small brands that I've, in my mind, collected over the years because I've wanted to do this for I don't even know since forever," owner Hannah Blazejewski said. "I'm trying to keep as much of the product at least local to New England as I can."

The name for the Diving Horse at 26 Holden St. was inspired by one of her favorite movies, "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," the story of a girl who joins a diving horse stunt show during the Depression.

Blazejewski found the current space earlier this year before moving back to the county in March. It was formerly North Adams Yoga, so when she moved in she repainted the place and also worked with Outlook Builders to build the shelving and her dream "mousehole" wall.

The store showcases local goods from throughout New England, and she described it as a general store and gift boutique built around a personal collection of favorite makers, small brands, and hard-to-find products.

Her shop also includes children's items, artwork, stickers, home decor, cheeses, non-perishable items, wines and a selection of Scandinavian candy.

She said she hopes to contribute to the local economy, connect with other businesses and artists, and respect the city's history and culture.

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