Market 32, Price Chopper, Freihofer's Campaign for Melodies Center

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper are partnering with Freihofer's Baking Co. to raise funds for the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center, which provides care to children and teens with cancer and blood disorders.
 
The Melodies Center is part of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital, the referral center for all seriously ill and injured children in 25 upstate New York counties and western New England.
 
From now through Feb. 28, 2026, a $.10 donation will be made to the Melodies Center each time select Freihofer's products are purchased. The items are specially marked with shelf tags in most stores.
 
"Facing a childhood cancer or blood disorder diagnosis is overwhelming," said Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations. "Through our partnership with Freihofer's and the kindness of our customers, we're able to help patients and their families access exceptional care and much-needed support during an extraordinarily difficult time."
 
The Melodies Center is a member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest organization dedicated to childhood cancer research trials. With state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled clinical staff of pediatric oncologists and hematologists, chemotherapy nurses, social workers, child life specialists, and more, the Center treats more than 1,500 children each year.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for our longstanding partnership with Market 32 and Price Chopper and Freihofer's Baking Co. and their continued support of the Melodies Center, which is one of a kind in our region," said Kate Halligan, MD, PhD, director of the Melodies Center and division chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. "Thanks to their fundraising efforts and the generosity of our community, we're able to advance our mission and continue providing high-quality care, close to home."
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. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories