Market 32, Price Chopper Help Local Families

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper have launched a series of actions to help local families who may be struggling to put food on the table. 
 
The neighborhood grocer's multi-pronged hunger relief efforts will deliver extra food savings; quickly drive resources to food banks, food pantries and human services organizations; engage farmers and food producers; and provide nutritious meal recipes that prioritize affordability.
 
"Lots of families across the six states we serve are having a hard time making ends meet, especially now. We're determined to do our part to help," said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper.  "Grocery stores are at the heart of a complex food system that families, farmers, food producers and food banks all rely on. It comes with great responsibility – one we take to heart – which is why we're mobilizing resources and partners to provide some relief, support and stability."
 
After analyzing customer purchase data, Market 32 and Price Chopper have identified several products that are both high-demand and high-value across shelf-stable, frozen, and fresh food categories. These everyday grocery items will now be eligible for increased savings and discounts for customers. The limited-time incremental savings and offers will feature almost 30 items, including:
 
  • Large White Dozen Grade A Eggs, $1.49
  • PICS Brand Pasta select varieties, $1.00
  • Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce, three for $5.00
  • Avocados, $1.00
  • Red or Green Grapes, 2 lb package, $5.00
  • Thomas' English Muffins, buy one get two free
  • Sea Best Breaded Shrimp, buy one get two free
  • Market 32 Bone-in Split Chicken Breasts, buy one get one free
  • Quaker Instant Oatmeal, General Mills and Kellogg's Large Size Cereal, buy one get one
  • And several more family-filling food items — with all sales, flyers and eCoupons
These discounts will remain in place through November 8, in addition to previously planned savings on many more items.
 
Market 32 and Price Chopper also continue to help extend the spending power of those who may need it most through benefit partnerships with Optum Financial and NationsBenefits, which allow eligible customers to use their S3 benefits cards and other participating health benefit plans to purchase nutritious foods and essential wellness products.
 
The grocer is also finalizing its Thanksgiving savings program—which will be designed to balance abundance and affordability—with more details to be announced soon.
 
Market 32 and Price Chopper are mobilizing their workforce and partnering with their generous, loyal customers to meet urgent needs. From now through January 3, 2026, all 129 Market 32 and Price Chopper locations are participating in the "Fill a Plate with Hope for the Holidays" donation drive. Customers can purchase $10 pre-packed bags of items most needed by local food banks and pantries—all meal essentials and pantry staples. Each bag will be donated directly to an organization within the store's own community.
 
For every four bags of food purchased by customers, Market 32 and Price Chopper will donate a fifth bag—up to 10,000 bags, representing a contribution of $100,000 in donated food.
 
The company's store teammates will be prioritizing the expedited movement of all donated food to local food banks and pantries. This accelerated effort supplements the impact made every day through Market 32 and Price Chopper's Fresh Recovery program, which provides daily donations of unsold, fresh food to local food banks. This program has led to the donation of 22 million pounds of food since its launch, inspiring the company to now pursue a new goal of saving 15 percent more food each month to meet the growing demand. This year, the company's hunger relief programs have already provided more than 1,940,000 meals across its six-state footprint.
 
To boost local relief efforts, Market 32 and Price Chopper have directed $10,000 to the United Way of the Greater Capital Region's Government Shutdown Relief Fund, and they are working closely with local and state officials across its footprint to fulfill immediate needs, including facilitating bulk purchases of grocery gift cards—at a discount—for distribution by local human services organizations.
 
Market 32 and Price Chopper have built longstanding, trusted relationships with farmers, food producers and suppliers. In difficult moments, they work together to identify opportunities to collaborate and help local communities.
 
For example, close partnerships with regional farmers will ensure Market 32 and Price Chopper can provide the freshest produce at the best value for seasonal staples like squash, pumpkins, apples and more. These local partnerships also help keep dollars circulating through local economies and ensure a more stable, resilient food system.
 
The company is now working with producers and suppliers to discuss additional savings, limited-time offers and charitable partnerships to support families and communities through the holidays.
 
Throughout the year, culinary experts at Market 32 and Price Chopper curate recipes for nutritious meals that can feed families and/or stretch for multiple days. Explore high-value, high-taste recipes at pricechopper.com/recipes
 
"The local needs are urgent right now—but sadly food insecurity is not a new challenge for our communities. Because we've been working on this issue for so long, we have the right partners in place to mobilize a fast response," Bringhurst added. "We are grateful to our customers and community partners for their generosity in joining us to fight hunger and make sure every family has enough to eat.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Toys for Tots Bringing Presents to Thousands of Kids This Year

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Volunteers organize toys by age and gender in the House of Corrections storage facility. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Plenty of toys are on their way to children this holiday season thanks to Toys for Tots.

Christopher Keegan has coordinated the local toy drive for the Berkshire Chapter of the Marine Corps Reserve since 2015 and said he has seen the need rise every year, last year helping more than 6,000 kids.

"This is 11 years I've been doing it, and the need has gone up every year. It's gone up every year, and I anticipate it going up even more this year," Keegan said.

On Thursday, the Berkshire County House of Corrections storage facility was overflowing with toys making it the county's very own Santa's workshop. 

Keegan said Berkshire County always shows up with toys or donations. 

"This county is outstanding when it comes to charity. They rally around stuff. They're very giving, they're very generous, and they've been tremendous in this effort, the toys for pride effort, since I've been doing it, our goal is to honor every request, and we've always reached that goal," he said.

Keegan's team is about 20 to 25 volunteers who sort out toys based on age and gender. This week, the crew started collecting from the 230 or so boxes set out around the county on Oct. 1.

"The two age groups that are probably more difficult — there's a newborn to 2s, boys and girls, and 11 to 14, boys and girls. Those are the two challenging ages where we need to focus our attention on a little bit more," he said.

Toys For Tots has about 30 participating schools and agencies that sign up families and individuals who need help putting gifts under the tree. Keegan takes requests right up until the last minute on Christmas.

"We can go out shopping for Christmas. I had sent my daughter out Christmas Eve morning. Hey, we need X amount of toys and stuff, but the requests are still rolling in from individuals, and I don't say no, we'll make it work however we can," he said.

Community members help to raise money or bring in unopened and unused toys. Capeless Elementary student Thomas St. John recently raised $1,000 selling hot chocolate and used the money to buy toys for the drive.

"It's amazing how much it's grown and how broad it is, how many people who were involved," Keegan said.

On Saturday, Live 95.9 personalities Bryan Slater and Marjo Catalano of "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" will host a Toys for Tots challenge at The Hot Dog Ranch and Proprietor's Lodge. Keegan said they have been very supportive of the drive and that they were able to collect more than 3,000 toys for the drive last year.

Volunteer Debbie Melle has been volunteering with Toys for Tots in the county for about five years and said people really showed up to give this year.

"I absolutely love it. It's what we always say. It's organized chaos, but it's rewarding. And what I actually this year, I'm so surprised, because the amount that the community has given us, and you can see that when you see these pictures, that you've taken, this is probably the most toys we've ever gotten," she said. "So I don't know if people just feel like this is a time to give and they're just going above and beyond, but I'm blown away. This year we can barely walk down the aisles for how much, how many toys are here. It's wonderful."

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