THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVES
THANKSGIVING ANGELS in Pittsfield consists of faith-based and social service organizations that provide a turkey and all the fixings to local families on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Monetary and food donations will help provide frozen turkeys along with vegetables, stuffing, gravy, bread, butter, eggs, pies, and other desserts.
Pittsfield groups involved in "Thanksgiving Angels" are the South Congregational Church, St. Joseph, First United Methodist, Congregation Knesset Israel, the Giving Garden of Pittsfield Church of Christ, First Church Congregational, First Baptist, St. Stephen's, St. Mark's, Sacred Heart, St. Charles, St. Nicholas Orthodox, St. George Greek Orthodox, Soldier On, The Christian Center and Salvation Army on West Street.
Contact the church for information: South Congregational Church. 110 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-442-7357/ sochurch@nycap.rr.com
SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH THANKSGIVING ANGELS
THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS has 3 initiatives that are highly effective in feeding the hungry:
- BIG Y SACK HUNGER This is the 6th year that Big Y World Class Markets will be holding their annual Sack Hunger campaign, to benefit the area food banks in their market (including The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts). Customers are asked to make a donation at the check-out register, where they can purchase large brown reusable bags filled with staple non-perishable food items to be donated. Big Y distributes these bags of food to local food banks. Last year, Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign provided nearly more than 89,000 pounds of food to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts — the equivalent of 74,720 meals. That food was distributed to member agencies (including food pantries, meal sites and shelters) throughout Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties. This year, customers will also be able to purchase ‘virtual’ bags of food at the check-out register. The actual cases of food will be delivered to The Food Bank by Big Y near holiday time.
- BIG PUSH While it feels good to buy food items, it's important to know that every $1 in cash can provide 3 meals. Cash donations are encouraged, and they make a real impact on hunger. See the Food Bank website for information on how to donate.
- CHECK OUT HUNGER Running through December 31, Check Out Hunger encourages customers of markets to donate at the register. In Berkshire County, Harry's Supermarket and West End Variety in Pitttsfield, Co-Op in Great Barrington, and Loeb's in Lenox are participating.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
