BCC Foundation Awarded Stop & Shop Gift Cards to Stock Campus Pantry

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Foundation is the recipient of a donation of $7,500 in Stop & Shop gift cards as part of the grocery's School Food Pantry Program. 
 
The funding commitment for 2026, equal to the donation awarded in 2025, will continue to support the purchase of items to stock BCC's pantry, known as the Campus Cupboard, helping to ensure students have access to healthy foods.? 
 
"We are so incredibly grateful to Stop & Shop for their continued generosity," said Meghan Donnelly, BCC Essential Needs Coordinator – Community/Outreach Counselor. "Access to food and essential supplies is a critical part of the health and well-being of our students. Back in October, Stop & Shop donated an abundance of fresh and frozen food items for the inauguration of our brand-new refrigerator-freezers. These units were purchased through a generous grant provided to the Campus Cupboard from the Food Bank of Western MA. We depend on the immense support of our donors and community partners to keep the Campus Cupboard abundantly stocked." 
 
The Campus Cupboard is a resource for current students, faculty and staff who need assistance meeting their food needs. It offers a variety of fresh, frozen and canned goods, proteins and grain options, including items for those with dietary restrictions, as well as toiletries and household products. It also offers a variety of services, including SNAP assistance and additional workshop/programming opportunities. The Campus Cupboard partners with the Berkshire Community Diaper Project to provide diapers and wipes for students who may need help obtaining them for their children.  
 
For more information, or to make a donation to the Campus Cupboard, contact Meghan Donnelly at mdonnelly@berkshirecc.edu.  

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BRPC, BDAO to Host Community Forum on Kratom

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Effective Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, Massachusetts has temporarily placed Kratom into Schedule I for one year while additional study and evaluation occur.

Under this temporary order, retailers may not display, sell, or distribute Kratom products, though they may store them out of sight. Local Boards of Health hold discretion on determining municipal enforcement.

To address these changes and discuss community impacts, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, Berkshire Public Health Alliance, and Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative are hosting a community forum on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The event will take place in person at the Berkshire Innovation Center (45 Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield, MA) and virtually via Zoom.

The event begins with welcoming remarks from District Attorney Shugrue, followed by a presentation from Dr. Jennifer Michaels, Medical Director at The Brien Center, on Kratom fundamentals and local treatment and recovery resources. Attendees will also hear state and regional perspectives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, followed by a collaborative cross-sector discussion on prevention and recovery strategies.

To RSVP or to receive Zoom meeting information, please email Stacy Parsons at Stacy.Parsons@mass.gov.

For additional state background, regulatory documentation, and health guidance, visit mass.gov/info-details/kratom

 

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