Market 32, Price Chopper Launch Fill a Glass with Hope Campaign

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y.— Market 32 and Price Chopper have partnered with the American Dairy Association North East, Garelick Farms, and local food banks to launch their annual Fill a Glass with Hope/Fill a Plate with Promise campaign.

The initiative will run from May 1 to June 30. Customers are invited to round up their change at checkout to support local food banks in purchasing fresh milk and other nutritious food for families experiencing food insecurity.

The 2025 campaign marks a decade of this partnership, during which over one million servings of milk have been donated to local families in need.

Pam Cerrone, director of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper, stated that milk is a highly requested but infrequently donated item to food banks. She emphasized the campaign's role in providing essential nutrition to community members.

The campaign addresses the issue of food insecurity, which is particularly challenging during the summer months when children lose access to school meal programs.

Audrey Donahoe, board president of American Dairy Association North East and a dairy farmer at ATRASS Farm in Clayville, N.Y., highlighted the dairy industry's commitment to providing nutritious milk to families.

The campaign's current message encourages customers to contribute any amount to help reach the next million servings donated. By rounding up their change at checkout, shoppers can support their neighbors facing food insecurity.

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said. 

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