Co-op Supports Berkshire Nonprofits with Cash Cube Events

02:49PM / Friday, January 02, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) successfully concluded its year-end community giving initiative, combining direct donations with interactive "Where's the Action Cash Cube" events to benefit local nonprofits across Berkshire County this holiday season.

Each participating not-for-profit organization received a $500 contribution from Co-op Bank, along with an on-site Cash Cube visit that gave them the opportunity to catch up to an additional $500.

All events were held at the nonprofits' locations and shared on Co-op Bank's social media channels to spotlight the essential services they provide throughout the region.

Through the Cash Cube events, the nonprofits grabbed the following additional amounts:

Pittsfield Community Food Pantry: $75
UCP of Western Massachusetts: $87
Christian Center of Pittsfield: $187
BC Arc: $151
Girl's Inc of the Berkshires: $219
Elder Services: $137
BFAIR: $394
Berkshire Choral International: $211
Hinsdale Food Pantry: $231

"These events were more than just moments of enjoyment, they created meaningful opportunities for our members to feel seen, valued, and connected to the broader community, while also shining a light on the important work happening every day," said Randy Kinnas, CEO of UCP of Western Massachusetts. "The support from Co-op Bank, both financial and through visibility, helps strengthen our ability to serve individuals and families throughout the Berkshires."

Co-op Bank contributed $4,500 in direct donations, with an additional $1,692 raised through the Cash Cube events, bringing the total combined contribution to $6,192 in support of Berkshire County nonprofits in December.

"We are incredibly grateful to Co-op Bank for their Cash Cube initiative and for their generosity in supporting our mission. Watching our staff and students rally behind Abby was a powerful reminder of the community spirit that helps to define the Brigham Center. Congratulations to Abby on raising an additional $219, each dollar raised strengthens our ability to support children and families in our community," said Girls Inc. CEO, Kelly Marion.

In total, Co-op Bank's year-end initiative reinforced its commitment to investing in local organizations that strengthen Berkshire County and improve quality of life for residents across the region.

"Our nonprofit partners are addressing some of the most critical needs in Berkshire County, from food security and housing stability to arts, early childhood development, education, and human services," said Gregg Levante, President of Co-op Bank. "The Cash Cube events brought a little holiday cheer while highlighting organizations that truly make a difference. Supporting them is core to who we are as a community bank."

Tags: pittsfield cooperative bank,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Healey Announces Housing Development Supports at Former Pittsfield Bank

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:29PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Gov. Maura Healey poses with the bank's old safe. The building is being refurbished for housing by Allegrone Companies. The project is being supported by a commercial tax credit and a $1.8M MassWorks grant for infrastructure improvements.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Gov. Maura Healey stood in the former Berkshire County Savings Bank on Tuesday to announce housing initiatives that are expected to bring more than 1,300 units online.

"People come here from all over the world. We want them to stay here, and we want kids who grew up here to be able to afford to stay here, but the problem is that for decades, we just weren't building enough housing to keep up with demand," she said.

"And you guys know what happens when there isn't enough supply: prices go up. We have among the lowest vacancy rates in the country, so against that challenge, we made it our priority from day one to build more homes as quickly as possible."

Approximately $8.4 million from the new Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI) is designed help communities transform empty or rundown commercial buildings into new homes along with $139.5 million in low-income housing tax credits and subsidies through the Affordable Housing Development grant program.

The historic 24 North St. with a view of Park Square has been vacant for about two years, and Allegrone Companies plans to redevelop it and 30-34 North St. into 23 mixed-income units. The administration announced its Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI) and the Affordable Housing Development grant program as ways to aid housing production, both of which Pittsfield will benefit from.

The state is partnering with Hearthway for the construction of 47 affordable units on Linden Street, utilizing the former Polish Community Club and new construction, and Allegrone for its redevelopment of the block.

The Linden Street project is one of the 15 rental developments the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is supporting through $25.7 million in federal low-income housing tax credits, $32.4 million in state low-income housing tax credits, and $81.4 million in subsidies.

Allegrone's project is supported by the commercial tax credit and was recently awarded $1,800,000 from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said she fully comprehends the importance of housing and how crushing it is in communities that need it and want to build, but face difficulties with high construction costs.

"Housing is the key to keeping people in the community in a safe way and giving them an opportunity to fill those many roles that we need throughout the Commonwealth in cities and towns, large and small, urban and rural, these are all important work. Having somebody fix your boiler, fix your car, we want those individuals to be able to live in our communities as well, particularly in our gateway cities," she said.

View Full Story