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

Print Story | Email Story

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 ConCom OKs Stairs at Pontoosuc Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Shoreline access stairs are coming to the south side of Pontoosuc Lake. 

Last week, the Conservation Commission approved an amendment to the Order of Conditions for work at Pontoosuc Lake Park.  There will be two stair sets on the south shoreline, and additional bank stabilization. 

In 2025, the park's south side saw new stairs from the parking lot, a boardwalk, and other improvements.  Later phases of the project will enhance the north side of the park for swimming, and remedy a concrete barrier wall that is partially underwater. 

"Generally, what we're looking to do at Pontoosuc Lake Park is install some stair sets in two locations to help folks access from up above the bank, over the bank, and into the water," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained during the July 23 meeting. 

"We're sensitive to some of the issues that are currently existing on the bank, and we're also sensitive to some of the needs for lake recreation out there."

Stairs for water access will be placed on the shoreline at the beginning of the boardwalk, where it is highly eroded, and the second staircase will be at the extreme western end of the project area, which has around 100 feet of highly eroded bank. 

Additional brush layering will also stabilize the bank. 

An area near the boat ramp where live stakes were vandalized will see them replanted after the ConCom found some of the bank erosion was worse than believed on a site visit last year. 

The city originally proposed not replanting the area where live stakes were removed. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories