Pittsfield Community Food Pantry Benefit Concert

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Food Pantry (formerly South Community Food Pantry) announced its first-ever benefit concert, celebrating the musical talent of the Berkshires while raising support for those in need. 
 
The stage will feature: The Wanda Houston Band, Billy Keane, Jackson DuCharme, Natalia Bernal and Jason Ennis.
 
The concert will be held at 7:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 at the Colonial Theater at 111 South Street, Pittsfield.  Tickets are $40, and $60 (plus ticketing fees).
 
Ticket proceeds will go directly to the Food Pantry.
 
"We are incredibly grateful to Berkshire Theater Group for providing the Colonial Theater for our event," said Mary Spina, event chairperson. "We are so excited to hold our first concert in this beautiful theater."" 
 
Operating from United Church of Christ Pittsfield at 110 South Street, the Pantry is a lifeline for over 1,000 households every week.  The pantry is run entirely by volunteers, so more of the money raised can go directly towards serving these families.  With recent cuts to SNAP and a decrease in USDA and MEFAP food supplies, this concert will allow the pantry to continue to purchase food to meet an increasing demand.
 
To purchase tickets, call the Colonial Box Office at 413-997-4444, or visit their website at www.berkshiretheatergroup.org/event/rock-the-pantry
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Becomes Purple Heart Community

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town has been home to many veterans and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service — a new proclamation honors their service and sacrifice.
 
The Select Board signed a proclamation declaring the town a Purple Heart Community, joining communities across the commonwealth to adopt this as a way to honor their local Purple Heart recipients. 
 
"This designation is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a public affirmation of Dalton's respect, gratitude, and enduring commitment to the men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces," Historical Commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said at the Select Board meeting Monday night. 
 
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration that is still awarded to service members, recognizing their sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering devotion to the nation.
 
The Purple Heart originated on Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers for exceptional service during the Revolutionary War. 
 
It fell out of use after the war but was revived in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.  
 
Under the revival, it was still awarded for meritorious service or for combat wounds but during World War II this narrowed to service members wounded or killed as a direct or indirect result of enemy action. That wounds-only standard has remained in place ever since.
 
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