Market 32, Price Chopper Customers Donate Food Bags to Local Pantries

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Customers of Market 32 and Price Chopper purchased 18,590 pre-packed $10 food bags between March 30 and April 20, 2025, for donation to local food banks and pantries.

The bags contained PICS brand items such as elbow macaroni, peanut butter, chicken noodle soup, canned tuna, kidney beans, and chunk chicken.

Each of the 129 Market 32 and Price Chopper stores selected a local organization focused on addressing nutrition security to receive the donations. In total, 111,540 items will be distributed to individuals and families in need.

Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations, stated that the in-store food drive provides customers with a simple way to support local agencies working to alleviate food insecurity.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.