March For The Food Bank To Be Held In Pittsfield

11:49AM / Friday, November 21, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will kick off its annual fundraising tradition with two community marches—starting with the first-ever Berkshire Mini-March on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Pittsfield, followed by the 16th Annual March for the Food Bank from Springfield to Greenfield on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24-25.

The Berkshire Mini-March begins at 9:30 a.m. at Hot Plate Brewing in downtown Pittsfield. The three-mile route includes stops at several Food Bank member food pantries, including Mercado De Vida and the Berkshire Dream Center. The final stop at the Pittsfield Community Pantry invites marchers to get involved directly by assembling Thanksgiving Angels packages for local families.

On Monday, New England Public Media's Monte Belmonte, Congressman Jim McGovern, and Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Morehouse will once again lead the 43-mile journey from Springfield to Greenfield. Governor Maura Healey is scheduled to join part of the March on Tuesday.

"The strength of communities across our region is extraordinary," said Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Morehouse. "Month after month, we see more people needing food assistance, more than at the height of the pandemic. The March is one way we meet these challenges together—with resolve, generosity, and a shared belief that everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food without barriers or stigma."

With demand at historic levels—more than 123,000 people seek food assistance each month, a number that is likely to continue to rise—the March plays a critical role in keeping food flowing to nearly 200 partner food pantries and meal sites across the region, stated a press release.

This year, the Food Bank aims to raise $650,000, the equivalent of 1.3 million meals for families, seniors, and veterans across Western Massachusetts. Nearly $250,000 has already been raised through early support from marchers, donors, and sponsors.

"The energy around this year's March is incredible," said Jillian Morgan, the Food Bank's Director of Development. "People are showing up with such heart, whether they're registering, fundraising, or sponsoring. We're grateful for every person who helps carry the Food Bank's mission forward."

The March routes can be found here.

Media sponsors -- WRSI 93.9 The River and New England Public Media -- will air special programming on food insecurity and hunger leading up to and during the march.

People can donate by phone at 888-323-HOPE (4673) on Monday from 7:00am to 5:00pm and Tuesday, from 7:00 am – 6:00pm, or anytime online at marchforthefoodbank.org.

The March for the Food Bank is supported by hundreds of individuals and dozens of local businesses: Alekman DiTusa, LLC; Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company; CoBank; Dean's Beans Organic Coffee; Eversource; Fallon Health; Greenfield Savings Bank; Innovative Industrial Properties; M&T Bank; PeoplesBank; Lia Auto Group; and Performance Food Group.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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