Peggi-Jeanne Crosier, store manager of John's Ace Hardware, prepares free chili on Saturday. The store was collecting nonperishable food for the food pantry.
Peggi-Jeanne Crosier says the store wanted to do its part to help families with food insecurity this Thanksgiving season.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With Thanksgiving around the corner, John's Ace Hardware held a free "Thanksgrilling" to give back to the local community.
"Community is what supports you, so if your community needs help, you want to help them out, because those are the people who are going to be your customers in the future, hopefully, said Peggi-Jeanne Crosier, store manager.
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where it is not about presents, gifts, or money — it's about togetherness and family, she said.
The aroma of creamy white chicken chili wafted from the parking lot on Saturday afternoon as Crosier prepared samples in the outdoor kitchen.
Community members were also encouraged to donate non-perishable food, which will be given to the Pittsfield Community Food Bank in preparation for Thanksgiving. Donors received an entry into a raffle for a mystery box.
"Especially with Thanksgiving coming up, there's a lot of people who have home instability or food instability," Crosier said. They don't have the means to create their own meals on a regular basis, never mind for a Thanksgiving meal. So, we see a lot of people struggling, and we want to do our part to help out.
"We are hoping that getting people to come in and offer items for the food drive will help us build up the food pantry supply so that they can effectively get it out to the people who need it."
Mystery boxes are available for sale, priced between $50 and $100, as part of the business's inventory clearance sale.
The contents of each box are unknown, but customers are guaranteed to receive an item valued at least equal to the amount they paid, with the possibility that the item could be worth even more.
The store will also be having a round-up through the end of November, during which a portion of the profits from the raffle and Mystery Box Sale will be donated to Albany (N.Y.) Children's Hospital, the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
As part of the inventory clearance sale, specially marked items are 50 percent off through February to clear out some inventory for its new reset.
"Any star in the store that you find on a price tag, that item is going to ring up for 50 percent off. So, that's a great way to come in and do some early shopping," Crosier said.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.
Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.
All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.
The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.
We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:
The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.
The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.
These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.
Are there any stand-out design features?
Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.
What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?
First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.
What's the neighborhood like?
Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."
What does the home come with?
Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.
You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.
click for more