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.