tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860592278332763242023-11-16T03:29:03.825-08:00Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action InitiativeMark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-1526525216918144412021-07-05T12:07:00.002-07:002021-07-06T20:02:01.258-07:00 Food Pantry procedures to change on July 14<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqmoADYA8uFV5KJOmepxZqhe-P2EWVjynMEf9jA2TOL2LU5zHypXEttgVC5Qbpr0npRYjK4OKBRPGXDYkenNIl0rXhSYeE2_tXt0f_IeU0DXRpKGhRevMP-zZSNPIVptscu_JCmfNp6kx/s2048/IMG_3730+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqmoADYA8uFV5KJOmepxZqhe-P2EWVjynMEf9jA2TOL2LU5zHypXEttgVC5Qbpr0npRYjK4OKBRPGXDYkenNIl0rXhSYeE2_tXt0f_IeU0DXRpKGhRevMP-zZSNPIVptscu_JCmfNp6kx/w400-h300/IMG_3730+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt;">NORTH ADAMS -- The Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry announces changes to its operations starting Wednesday, July 14.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Nearly 16 months after we drastically changed our operating procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are happy to start making major changes to return to a new normal in which our pantry friends will have more options.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Our Wednesday hours will stay the same, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Sign-ins now will take place at the Eagle Street Room of the First Baptist Church of North Adams (enter through door on lower Eagle Street side of the church).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We will no longer sign-in people at the food pantry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Vaccinated people will not need to wear masks in the Eagle Street Room, though we ask that the un-vaccinated do so. In addition to signing in at the Eagle Street Room, members will also be able to fill out a form to indicate what foods and other items they want at the food pantry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">No services or refreshments will be available at the Eagle Street Room at this time. We wish to keep crowding to a minimum and enable people to move quickly down to the Food Pantry at 45 Eagle Street.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">At 45 Eagle St., the Al Nelson Friendship Center, we will let up to four individuals come in at one time, to present their item list, select produce and breads and have their order filled. Again, we ask that those who have not been vaccinated wear masks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We no longer have a waiting area in the food pantry, as this space is taken up by prepared food boxes for delivery. People will not be able to wait for rides inside the Friendship Center.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Our program to give people rides home with their groceries will return. Members will still have to come to the food pantry first. Mask policy: All riders and drivers in the rides home program must wear masks during their ride. No exceptions. We will provide masks for those who do not have one.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Our Thursday deliveries program will remain the same. This is for shut-ins and people who have no transportation or otherwise cannot make it to the food pantry on Wednesdays between 10 and 2. Call on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a delivery on Thursday. Number: 413-664-0123.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Deliveries are made on Thursdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Food choice will not be possible with deliveries due to the volume of calls we receive.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We thank everyone for their great cooperation during the pandemic. Please bear with us as we happily transition to operating procedures that provide more choice and interaction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry is a program of the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative Inc. The NBIAI, founded in 2010, is “a group of people of different faiths and denominations, working with others of goodwill, to serve our community.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Our food pantry, founded in 2011, serves families in North Adams, Clarksburg and Florida Mountain. Households are eligible to receive food every two weeks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We are an all-volunteer organization.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">For more information, visit our website: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/&source=gmail&ust=1625597496666000&usg=AFQjCNE-DqIOQGKQAfF1h9UvzwtZLYjJ4Q" href="https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">https://friendshipfoodpantry.<wbr></wbr>org/</a> Our blog: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://northernberkshireinterfaith.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1625597496666000&usg=AFQjCNHetSxxoq9yIGNHt9aWE1CHAIUIGw" href="http://northernberkshireinterfaith.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>northernberkshireinterfaith.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a> Or visit our Facebook page.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">- Mark Rondeau</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KdUphdj7a1K1J3D_v3em8v6BPOYWVVzzY-v6iP9zgetK3ptIWByb0gWHt2wffVmUJ-TcO2xoDJQD7O9XDl_Dfmws8PhI9xyvH3GbYeFO5-JORj8PREjUn-AdpK-b28d_fPyidkoGooj_/s2048/IMG_4569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KdUphdj7a1K1J3D_v3em8v6BPOYWVVzzY-v6iP9zgetK3ptIWByb0gWHt2wffVmUJ-TcO2xoDJQD7O9XDl_Dfmws8PhI9xyvH3GbYeFO5-JORj8PREjUn-AdpK-b28d_fPyidkoGooj_/w640-h480/IMG_4569.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span><p></p>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-56615711660237531152020-05-04T18:01:00.000-07:002020-05-04T18:01:00.243-07:00Help From Many People and Groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLH97xgVK2iDjK9nYyh2Mfarcn2au-BL0qpJ1p5I9BdQyTStzxUa9NZooGcXkmWgbm62PRCekR4Qy_xlIgdnaY8rfQ0Q3D1TY7dpLvo8Se_N1dbPIVG6COXzcVdft-LpudAcbGJrmiO6Fm/s1600/IMG_3130+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLH97xgVK2iDjK9nYyh2Mfarcn2au-BL0qpJ1p5I9BdQyTStzxUa9NZooGcXkmWgbm62PRCekR4Qy_xlIgdnaY8rfQ0Q3D1TY7dpLvo8Se_N1dbPIVG6COXzcVdft-LpudAcbGJrmiO6Fm/s400/IMG_3130+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i>Marayam Kamagar, of Goodwill, has been working with us and our pantry friends for years. She has been key in getting the Goodwill truck help us and other programs during this pandemic. Below, the truck arrives on Friday, May 1, with our four pallets of food from the Food Bank of Western Mass.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1aQsr6Yusj6CgIP02g6bf5o9hdFMxJysnRXxT3JVmDE-Crpq5Kf-gJGJXDB8-E9aL5beE_SJu1999aVHTGloFO4o6Tao16tsQCas_J4jBwVbw7qb1rXrNpLnsdGMx2Fn-VU6ZH2j5gu9/s1600/IMG_3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1aQsr6Yusj6CgIP02g6bf5o9hdFMxJysnRXxT3JVmDE-Crpq5Kf-gJGJXDB8-E9aL5beE_SJu1999aVHTGloFO4o6Tao16tsQCas_J4jBwVbw7qb1rXrNpLnsdGMx2Fn-VU6ZH2j5gu9/s320/IMG_3127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Goodwill Helps Us Get Food Orders</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Transportation
is always a major issue when you’re dealing with food distribution. We are
happy that one local organization is helping us and several other programs with
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d like to
thank Goodwill of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont. For the last few weeks
and all the way through June, the Goodwill truck will be picking up our food
order every week at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield.
Ordinarily, we rent a U-Haul truck every week and drive it to the Food Bank and
back. So this saves us money and time. The size of their truck also allows us
to get more food, without having to send a second truck to Hatfield.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On Friday,
May 1, the truck brought in our order of 6,397 lbs. of food! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Through this
arrangement, Goodwill is also helping several of our fellow programs. These
include the Berkshire Food Project, Louison House, the Community Bible Church
and the Williamstown Food Pantry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Adams Center Pantry Reopening </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have
official confirmation that the food pantry in Adams is reopening this
Wednesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those in line at 1 p.m. will be
served. See photo of the sign below for more information. The Center Food
Pantry is located on Route 8 in downtown Adams, in the basement of St. Thomas
Church. The door is on the Route 8 side at street level and is located across
from the end of Hoosac Street and the Berkshire Mill Apartments and diagonally
across the street from Chee’s.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Though we
never turn away anyone who comes to us for food, we ask that those from Adams,
Cheshire and Savoy use the Adams pantry in the future. It has been our pleasure
to serve you in recent weeks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito89DKsCeQba-zfJ1ZVn430Ag58UEatEXdMee3isR8Ah05YnS-jHGKzwBaSFV8psWvNK-_VGz7dJb5H1nvE0NUoxGOPspCPEaA5H9P3Q8BMUT9EVeMUkdmUPJtcIHxJLm7g55hwOB3_8q/s1600/IMG_3146+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito89DKsCeQba-zfJ1ZVn430Ag58UEatEXdMee3isR8Ah05YnS-jHGKzwBaSFV8psWvNK-_VGz7dJb5H1nvE0NUoxGOPspCPEaA5H9P3Q8BMUT9EVeMUkdmUPJtcIHxJLm7g55hwOB3_8q/s400/IMG_3146+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Measuring the Increase of Need</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have been
serving more households since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the
increase has not been as dramatic as in other areas of the country. In March
2019 we served an average of 121 households per week. This year in March, as
the pandemic came to the forefront, we stayed about the same in household
visits, with an average of 122 per week.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In April, at
our new temporary location at the St. Elizabeth Parish Center, we have seen
about a 10 percent increase in visits. In April 2019 we averaged 121 household
visits per week. This year this has increased to an average of 133 visits per
week.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One main
reason why we have not seen a dramatic increase is that Northern Berkshire has
been so great in pulling together to provide additional food resources. This
includes our public schools. Following is just a partial list of the food
opportunities available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Other Local Food Sources</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Food Pantries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Community Bible Church Food Pantry</span>,
160 Bridges Road, Williamstown, has food and are more than willing to
distribute it. They are open to give out food every day. Just call
Phyllis Babcock at 413-663-6094 and she will meet you at church at your
convenience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Williamstown Food Pantry at St Raphaels & St Patrick Church</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Wednesdays, 9:30-12 at </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">53
Southworth St. Enter the church grounds from the Mission Park Drive entrance
north of the church and exit onto Southworth Street. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drive Thru method, do not get out of the car. For information
call: 413-458-4946, ext. 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mobile Food Bank<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Mobile Food Bank
of the Food Bank of Western Mass comes regularly to Adams and North Adams. On
the second and fourth Tuesday of each month it comes to the Adams Council on
Aging, 3 Hoosac St. in Adams, from 10 to 11 a.m. On the first and third Friday
of each month, it comes to the North Adams American Legion, 91 American Legion
Drive, from 10 to 11 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meal Site<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Berkshire Food Project</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">-Monday,
Wednesday and Friday-11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab and Go Lunch. Pick up is outside
under the tent at kitchen door entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Local Farm Food <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The North Adams Farmers Market is online and mobile</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Delivering to North County ONLY. A limited amount
of orders will be taken <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> during
Grab and Go Lunch Distribution at the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Berkshire Food Project, 11:30-1</span> or <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wednesday at the Al Nelson Friendship Food Pantry</span> at
St. Elizabeth’s Parish. Delivery will be on Friday and Saturday. You can use credit
card and debit orders if you would like to order online.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">EBT payments will be
accepted in person during the pre-order opportunities, and doubling up to $30
in benefits. Orders will be taken in person and payments must be made in person
upon delivery. There will be FREE delivery for EBT customers. This was made
possible by a grant from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BerkshireUW/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARA37e-T2Kqpy90TLjAy-5oGP2aJPIp1D24bPf8vtrsa2dq_NCPqLsrtyNH0YKM3gKz2X4_7nJGBHaOr&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCncnjOQkDmp6kt63rHkGkFIuI4C6KOQW_URPZgqqu0ihauQv5PWEc_AXdGYrXFmhy3DRX-9sEuH67C1meSZzPpaD-7dhQNfmqfMuZTtn6fMGETrjpQJOakyy__pvU9OaSgmL1l-gO2V3jhmvSkZoR9R-LiA3xn4gN9wg4CN1BLCg9amoycqwDxs0nvpvidllJZydADgurT7QTdxnDW2UslZzRoSi_FvE-wdD-xK_VZjcXy-VW-VPvz1SGFCSvu74eY8jBWBdfZ2b2sUP6_iL8cdwBBS4-GcH_tel0lLAavz_2G8rWHxr2Hfn99Ry_mtLSozCBYp6vY_4Kz5VvjYw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #385898; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Berkshire United Way</span></a><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">'s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For more information, visit: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NorthAdamsFarmersMarket/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/NorthAdamsFarmersMarket/</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> For Questions Call:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> 413-664-6180</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> or Email:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="mailto:tourism@northadams-ma.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tourism@northadams-ma.gov</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Community
Coalition Weekend Meal Delivery Program<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a new
program paid for through the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Berkshire County
COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to coordinate a weekend meal delivery service
through from local restaurants to those community members who are currently
unable to leave their homes and unable to access food on the weekend. This
initiative is open to people who reside in any one of the seven north
Berkshire towns (Williamstown, North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, Adams,
Cheshire, and Savoy). At this time, they have budgeted for 150 meals for each
weekend.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This program is intended to reach individuals
and families <b>with no other access to food resources on weekends. </b>They
strive to reach those families and individuals who are not already connected
with a food pantry or meal program. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Organizers ask interested participants what food
resources they are already accessing in order to avoid any duplication of
efforts and so that they can expand the community's ability to provide for
vulnerable populations. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you know of any
individual who is in need of food on the weekend because they are
dependent on food delivery services at this time, provide them with the Coalition main phone number, 413-663-7588. Coalition staff will be taking phone calls Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. Orders for weekend delivery will be placed on Fridays
at 3 p.m. and deliveries will be coordinated for Saturday at a designated
time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This program is free of charge, as the Northern Berkshire Community
Coalition uses the funds it was awarded by the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COVID-19
Emergency Response Fund</span><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to compensate both the restaurant and the delivery driver for
their service</span><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_G2XYpsTvW8g4tLxJ-p4eBl9pzpT49swZ8inpRAkooKXR8t4s5XgSPgewMRRS4QdOOzz8qNNledifgQl4xxQwFASJcqfgNGYbRnaJSr_8XcqdefUMA2e_ywch2NnOd7dfadCsnW8FmKG/s1600/IMG_3132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_G2XYpsTvW8g4tLxJ-p4eBl9pzpT49swZ8inpRAkooKXR8t4s5XgSPgewMRRS4QdOOzz8qNNledifgQl4xxQwFASJcqfgNGYbRnaJSr_8XcqdefUMA2e_ywch2NnOd7dfadCsnW8FmKG/s400/IMG_3132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Dick Netherwood and Frank Risati, both wearing masks, get to work unwrapping and shelving a pallet of food from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, on Friday, May 5.</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thanks for Contributions and Offers to
Volunteer</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above is a
very impressive list of groups and organizations doing their best to help in
this difficult time. It’s not only groups, however, who are helping so much.
Since the start of this pandemic, we have received dozens of monetary donations
from individuals, and almost as many offers to volunteer. We are grateful and
appreciate all of them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have not
to this point been able to utilize all of the volunteers who have offered, but
we greatly appreciate them answering our call. We do not think this pandemic is
going to be over soon, and when it mercifully is over there will still be lots of
people in need. So we foresee many opportunities to help going forward. The
first people we contact as new needs for help arise will be those who have already
volunteered to help. Again, thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">New State Order on Masks</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We here pass
along information about the state order regarding wearing masks in public. All
volunteers with our food pantry began wearing masks or face coverings while here two weeks ago. Though cloth face coverings are
best for preventing one from giving COVID-19 to another, studies show that
when two people interacting are both wearing masks the possibility of virus transmission goes
way down. Though our food distribution is outside, we greatly appreciate it
when our visiting friends are wearing a face covering.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With that
said, here is more information from the Northern Berkshire COVID 19 Operations
Center:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Per the Governor's
order, face coverings are being required when entering stores and on public
transportation starting on May 6th in order to help deter the spread of
COVID19 and protect the health of our friends, neighbors and families.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The requirement applies to all workers and customers of
businesses and other organizations that are open to the public. Below is the
link for today's press release: </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-orders-use-of-mask-or-face-covering-in-public-announces-increased" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-orders-use-of-mask-or-face-covering-in-public-announces-increased</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't worry</span></u></i><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> if you cannot find masks online or in stores. There are
any number of ways to make effective face coverings from materials you already
have in your home such as scarves, bandanas, and old clothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The link to the CDC
recommendation and instructions on how to make a face covering from household
items is included below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For additional
information:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Help spread the word. If
you have questions or have trouble finding information, contact the North Berkshire
Operations Center at 413-662-3614 or by email at </span><a href="mailto:nbcovid@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nbcovid@gmail.com</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you cannot find or make a mask, let us or the Operations Center know and we can probably find one for you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9nB9lVF8_y-Zd_7uzJ7wE89BxHPln0UN6sS-18ySoU2Bb5FJxJi0VJX145jXTbEPufO78MMHXXQYQXPHVVJ-Nc5eT85vbPZrOdXQRcg7f-9gTUiWIOIEfnzD5O0dWA95-6aBtiQ9TGpu/s1600/IMG_3155+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9nB9lVF8_y-Zd_7uzJ7wE89BxHPln0UN6sS-18ySoU2Bb5FJxJi0VJX145jXTbEPufO78MMHXXQYQXPHVVJ-Nc5eT85vbPZrOdXQRcg7f-9gTUiWIOIEfnzD5O0dWA95-6aBtiQ9TGpu/s400/IMG_3155+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Who We Are</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As so many
people are new to us, and we to them, during this pandemic, a few words about
who we are.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Northern
Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative Inc., the parent organization of the Al
Nelson Friendship Center, is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We were founded
ten years ago as a group of people from various faiths and denominations
working with others of good will to serve our community.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Friendship Center Food Pantry opened on Eagle Street in North Adams in February
2011. It has been an all-volunteer operation since its inception and is
considered a model program by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was named
the Friendship Center because we consider those we serve with our food pantry, and associated services, as friends, not clients. The name Al Nelson was added in 2018 after the passing
of our beloved co-founder, Arlon “Al” Nelson. More information about us and our
history can be found on this blog.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our mailing
address is PO Box 626 North Adams, MA 01247. Phone: 413-664-0123. Email: <a href="mailto:northernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com">northernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com</a>.
Website: </span><a href="https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/">https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thanks and
God Bless,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-85562129001407561402019-11-13T18:46:00.004-08:002019-11-13T18:46:51.022-08:00Art in the Window, Fundraising, City Food Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Something New Student Art in our Window</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to long-time volunteer, weekend cleaner and board member Sharon May, we have something new in our front display window -- art by local students. Specifically, watercolors in the Drury High School Visual Arts Program for grades 7 and 8, taught by Ms. Manville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come on down to get a better look! </span></div>
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Fundraising Letters Go Out<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every year we do a fundraising letter campaign. This year the back of our letter looks different, thanks to Bert Lamb, Fran Berasi and Becks Printing. If you want to donate financially and aren't on our mailing list, you can do so at our new website, <a href="https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/give-help" target="_blank">https://friendshipfoodpantry.org/give-help </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Below, the front of our current fundraising letter. Above, the back of the letter.</i></span></div>
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Annual City-Wide Food Drive</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">North Adams is holding its annual CITY WIDE FOOD DRIVE. All donations will go to the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry. If you are able, please consider making a donation of non perishable food and/or personal care items to benefit the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry. Dropoff locations include City Hall, the North Adams Public Library, the Mary Spitzer Senior Center, the North Adams Public Schools, the North Adams Fire and Police Departments, and Northern Berkshire EMS.<br /><br />Please see graphic for the types of items most needed. <br /><br />Mayor Tom Bernard is seeking to double the amount of food and personal care items donated, to 2,000 lbs. this year. Thanks to the Mayor and All City and School Employees and Departments, Residents and everyone else involved. We live in a generous community! </span><br />
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And Finally</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, here are some of our great volunteers on a Tuesday stocking the food we just brought in on a rental truck from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, in Hatfield, like we do about 50 of the 52 weeks in a year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bob Dubriel, at right; Jocelyn Barrett, at left; Rich Davis in blue hat in back. Also pictured in part Dick Netherwood, Rich Wolfe and Fran Morandi.</i></span></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-41385910058927733112019-04-08T18:10:00.004-07:002019-04-10T16:46:10.158-07:00Our Interfaith Origins<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Al Nelson, center, at our first-ever public event: a drumming circle at the August 2010 North Adams Downtown Celebration.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following reflection began our Board of Directors' retreat today, April 8.</span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Al
Bashevkin, who is leading our retreat today, suggested that we being this retreat with a review of our origins as
a group. I agree and think this would be both informative and helpful
in looking forward. </span></span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
this started with the idea of greater cooperation for the common good
among people of faith and houses of worship in Northern Berkshire. We
did not have a project at the beginning.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
very start was the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition forum of
April 9, 2010 <span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">--</span> almost nine years ago to the day. The topic was The
Intersection of Faith and the Community. Several local clergy members
attended. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During
this discussion Al Nelson and I suggested that the local clergy
should be doing more to foster interfaith cooperation in the
community. Some of the clergy present turned this right back on us.
Especially the Rev. Carrie Bail, then of the First Congregational
Church of Williamstown, and Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, then rabbi of
Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why
don't you do something,” is what they responded, to us as people of
faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
Al and I decided to hold meetings for what we tentatively called the
Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative. We held monthly
meetings at the Eagle Street Room at First Baptist to look for
project ideas. We wanted to find something that was needed and wasn't
a duplication of effort.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
had a diverse group of people at our meetings: protestants from
various denominations, some Catholics, a Muslim, two people into
native American spirituality and one or two agnostics. One of our
most active participants was rabbi Goldwasser.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
examined a number of possibilities for service and we also considered
such activities as an interfaith Thanksgiving celebration. We
couldn't agree on anything. But we did manage to have a drumming
circle led by Otha Day at the 2010 North Adams Downtown Celebration.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Service
possibilities we examined included Big Brothers Big Sisters – still
present then in Northern Berkshire – and helping out at Louison
House.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Interfaith
groups of various kinds can be found all over the country. They do
everything from conducting interfaith discussions between Jews and
Muslims in cities such as Chicago to running service projects and
agencies all over. One such group can be found in nearby Bennington,
Vermont.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
large part of my interest in interfaith work came from my experience
with the interfaith group in Bennington, Vermont. The Interfaith
Council and its service arm, Greater Bennington Interfaith Community
Services Inc. (GBICS) is a group of both laypeople and clergy.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
has a part-time executive director and runs the Kitchen Cupboard Food
Pantry, which started just a few months before we started one; a free
medical clinic and a fuel fund. Among other things, members of this
interfaith group meet regularly and submit columns about faith weekly
to the Bennington Banner.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The
Friendship Center</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
late 2010, it became apparent that the Berkshire Community Action
Council (BCAC) would no longer be able to run its food pantry in
North Adams because of space. The consensus then was that there were
not enough places offering emergency food in North Adams in
particular.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Around
the same time, our friend Lois Daunis had mentioned to us the
possibility of using space she and her husband owned at 43 Eagle
Street for a headquarters for our interfaith group. Soon, the idea of
using that space to store the BCAC food or perhaps operating a food
pantry was also in the air.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
needless to say: We had found our project. We worked with Lois and
Mike and with BCAC and the Food Bank and Kim McMann of Target Hunger
and got a crash course in running a food pantry. We modeled a lot of
what we do from our visits to the Charity Center in Adams. Later, we
visited the Kitchen Cupboard in Bennington.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
opened the Friendship Center in February 2011 at 43 Eagle St. The
name was inspired by the name Charity Center. In our case the goal
was to go one step beyond and offer friendship. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
emphasis of all of the early founders was to treat people with
dignity and respect – as friends. This is why we don't use the word
“clients.” Happily, this spirit and attitude has stuck.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
are not social workers – we are an all-volunteer organization of
people motivated by the best traditions of faith and/or humanistic
concern. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
that's an important point, which has evolved into our working mission
statement: “The NBIAI is a group of people of different faiths and
denominations working together with others of goodwill to serve the
community.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
far, it's a formula that works. And it also doesn't limit us to just
a food pantry. Yes, that's our main task by far. But over the years
we have broadened this to offering all manner of social services,
including a nurse, at our sign-in point at the Eagle Street Room. We
also offer books, diapers, personal care items and free rides home.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love
is creative. And there's a lot of love in what we do.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other
activities over the years</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's
worth briefly mentioning that we picked up the ministry voucher
system from the now-defunct Williamstown Ecumenical Association
shortly after we opened the food pantry. This was introduced to us
through one of our monthly public meetings that continued for years
after the Friendship Center opened.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those
monthly public meetings provided an opportunity for faith sharing,
idea sharing, telling folks about out work at the Friendship Center
and learning about other programs. Presenters over the years at these
meetings included Habitat for Humanity, the Fresh Air Fund, Western
Mass. Legal Services, Berkshire County Jail Rehabilitation Services,
and Berkshire Health Systems and many more. After Newtown we had a
meeting on violence at which we decided to send letters to the media
and Congress voicing our concern for gun safety legislation.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
two years after a presentation by the National Alliance on Mental
Illness Berkshire County, we presented – with the help of the Rev.
Kim Kie one year and the Rev. Dan Randall the next – an interfaith
service for mental illness survivors and their families. The first
one was particularly well-attended and attracted people from all over
the county.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From
the beginning we have had a blogspot blog, a Facebook page and a
Twitter account. Now, thanks mostly to Fran, we have a website, too.
For several years, with early volunteers Mark Lincourt and Corinne
Case, we also ran a public access TV show called “In The Company of
Friends.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our
crown jewel is of course the work of what we now call Al Nelson
Friendship Center, which most of us refer to simply as the “food
pantry.” And we can be justly proud of it. It is considered a model
program by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Its volunteers
over the years are the finest group of people, by far, I have ever
been associated with. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
I'd like to draw on this backstory about our origins for a couple of
concluding points. I see benefits now, as I did when Al and I worked
to incorporate us, to being an interfaith group that runs a food
pantry.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One
is to keep alive the idea of people of different faiths and those of
none working together in an intentional way to serve the community.
We provide a social service but with a difference. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Defining
ourselves as an interfaith group also makes it less of a leap to add
programming – if it makes sense. Food pantries are usually adjuncts
of larger groups – churches, community action councils etc. – and
having an interfaith identity associates us with a venerable movement
that takes many forms in the United States today.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally,
in this time of division and scapegoating, what could be more
important than bringing people with different perspectives about
politics and religion together in voluntary service to the poor?
Service that is friendly, respectful and given enthusiastically?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
would offer that how we do what we do is as important as what we do.
We should think big, but in any case we should keep the eye on the
ball: serving our local friends with dignity, respect and friendship
in the best traditions of faith and humanism.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank
you!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-8742715715721344012018-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:002018-10-25T18:21:44.999-07:00It's Now and Forever the Al Nelson Friendship Center<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Al Nelson: Our Man for
All Seasons</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vC3K1zwGaLyVsQ2b1E-0bwJehZFNczq1uTis2zrS9Hpg2bR2Om9nJ_3QoWFQoYc_iO5eZI2Gk4bbDDYWX7KGLSeD1cURGr5k0BtolQB579FFveeTbc3EnDNO7BZXasWDytOv8gLCgmCT/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vC3K1zwGaLyVsQ2b1E-0bwJehZFNczq1uTis2zrS9Hpg2bR2Om9nJ_3QoWFQoYc_iO5eZI2Gk4bbDDYWX7KGLSeD1cURGr5k0BtolQB579FFveeTbc3EnDNO7BZXasWDytOv8gLCgmCT/s640/IMG_0002.JPG" width="424" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 at the First Baptist Church of North
Adams, we held a tribute to our late co-founder, Al Nelson. We unveiled our new sign for the Al Nelson Friendship Center and the commissioned painting of Al above. Scheduled speakers were North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard; Christa Collier, executive director of the Northern Berkshire United Way; and Mark Rondeau, friend and collaborator with Al. As prepared for delivery, Rondeau's tribute follows.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I first met Al Nelson in
1996 when I was editor of the Advocate. I went to the Northern
Berkshire United Way offices, then located at 85 Main Street, to do
an article.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Immediately upon meeting
Al, I recognized his voice from the radio. It was one of the voices I
heard on WMNB growing up in North Adams decades earlier. I had moved
away with my family in 1976 and moved back with my family in 1993. So
other than his voice, Al Nelson and his work were completely
unfamiliar to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote a profile of Al
for the paper. What a nice, interesting and unassuming man, I
thought. Another of those people who made my hometown special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Around the same time I
started going to monthly forums of the Northern Berkshire Community
Coalition. Al, of course, had been present at the creation of the
Coalition. Then he served it as board member and treasurer for many
years. I started sitting with Al at these Coalition forums. </span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He invited me to a prayer
breakfast at this, his church. He knew I liked sports and invited me
to meetings of the Sideline Quarterback Club at the Log in
Williamstown. For the uninitiated this is the Williams College
Football booster club. </span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(As an aside: the only
time I ever heard Al yell in anger was at Williams football games.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the years wore on Al
and I started to collaborate on the occasional project. At the
Advocate I wrote about Al and Anne going on a mission trip to
Romania. About 10 years ago, after a rough stretch of illness and
death in my family, I had the idea of creating a local caregiver
resource guide. The Coalition thought it was a good idea and we
started having committee meetings of interested parties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who was present at all the
meetings and actively involved? Al Nelson, of course.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple years later, in
2010, at a Coalition forum about the intersection of faith and
community, Al and I thought there should be more collaboration
between local houses of worship. The clergy present, under-supported
and overworked as they were – and are – challenged us in turn to
do something ourselves as laypeople.</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So Al and I got talking.
Why not launch an Initiative to bring people of faith and goodwill
together to serve the community? </span>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Along with some others involved,
the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative was born. We
started looking for a project to collaborate on and bring people
together. We held monthly meetings looking for a project. We even
held a drumming circle at the 2010 North Adams Downtown Celebration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the end of 2010 and
beginning of 2011, things started coming together. The Friendship
Center was born. Al and everyone else involved got a crash course in
running a food pantry. I don't have to tell you the rest of the
story. I can say that all of you here tonight have been part of the
story as it has gone forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">– – – – –
</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to shift here and
ask a rhetorical question? Why are we here tonight? Right here in
this place, on Saturday, July 21<sup>st</sup>, a nearly full church
honored Al Nelson. Wonderfully well done and emotional as that
service was, it was a closing of a book, like all such services. But
we need to take this book with us – and keep the spirit of the
story it tells alive.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We're here tonight to
carry Al's life and example forward with us into the future, most
specifically in the work we do at the Friendship Center – from now
forward the Al Nelson Friendship Center. We're here to honor a man
who came to this city for a job at the radio station and stayed to
build a life, lift a community and walk humbly with his Lord.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll offer that we're here
because the community needs Al Nelson. Who he was, what he stood for,
what he did and tried to do, how he treated people are signposts
along the way in a troubled, turbulent time. We're here to insure in
our small way that Al Nelson is remembered, that he remains a known
example to be imitated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Al was a man of faith. It
was a non-negotiable with him. As I told a Berkshire Eagle reporter
working on a story about him, Al was one of the best Christians I
ever met. He took his faith very seriously and lived according to its
precepts.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike some virtuous
people, however, Al was not judgmental. He also – and this is very
rare, in my experience – did not gossip or criticize people behind
their backs. It wasn't that Al wore rose-colored glasses – anything
but – he was a very realistic man who kept himself well informed
and knew exactly what was going on.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Al's response to problems
was very wise. Work steadily and quietly and don't get upset. Things
will work out. Be secure enough and strong enough to calmly wait and
see. Many times, in one way or the other, he taught me this lesson
and led me to take this approach. I regretted it when I didn't.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Al's kindness, service and
care of those in need were rooted in the Scripture and his daily walk
with the Lord. He was a gentleman, unfailingly respectful to all. You
know that he was a cheerful man, with a great sense of humor. He
loved to talk to people. And he loved to needle you – but it was
the most good-natured, loving needling in the world. He knew I worked
late, so when I showed up late to the Eagle Street Room on a
Wednesday, Al might proclaim: “He has risen!”</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Al was a man of community.
He was all about building relationships, making connections and
reaching out to others. He was always concerned about how we could
help and collaborate with other food pantries and related services in
Northern Berkshire. He went out of his way, for instance, to include
Adams and Williamstown in our efforts to promote and report on the
results of the annual Letter Carrier Food Drive. </span>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In doing these things, Al
was a meticulous, precise and thorough man. People have a hard time
reading my handwriting, but Al's penmanship was perfect. If I wanted
to talk to Al but saw he was starting to write a note, I would go do
something else, because it was going to take a while. Al did nothing
in a half-baked fashion. </span>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He was a retired radio
journalist and he liked to ask questions. At many a board meeting of
the Initiative and Friendship Center, I would think we could move on
to another topic but Al would have one more question. Implied in this
question-asking is the fact that Al listened to the answers.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Al listened and
listened with empathy, he knew how to respond effectively to people
in difficult situations. Often he would tell audiences of things our
food pantry friends had told him: the man who had no pots or pans to
cook with. The woman with no refrigerator and no bed for her or her
child.</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And Al never, never
promoted himself – never. He was totally mission-oriented. He not
only checked his ego at the door, he never brought it in the first
place. In fact, he had probably stored his ego in a box one day and
then forgot where he put the box. He wasn't falsely humble. He just
knew exactly who he was and what he was about and that was enough. </span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Service, kindness,
thoroughness, listening, respect, empathy, integrity, faith, love.
Words, words that can be just words, empty of real meaning. Al Nelson
filled them with reality. He embodied them with action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">– – – – –
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<span style="font-size: large;">I noted at the
beginning that I had heard Al Nelson's voice on WMNB decades before I
actually met him. I still hear his voice. I hear it in some of the
closings he used in his notes and emails to me and others about Initiative and
food pantry business.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Blessings”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“We shall
overcome”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Keep the
Strength”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And my
favorite:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Stay out of
trouble and keep the faith --”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thank you</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbgBD6r_arSFOqmKxsazTjb9vNTa0hESJl7WQBa9KXSPPW3uoEdZJ_RfKd1p-KH2vzDUFGwFOx8zGf2EsCPeHjFeomn5p_-90wZXd22OIZc4sChM98Zvcn5hNJEHXyAA4zR1rCwGM9nM1/s1600/newsigntnd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="524" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbgBD6r_arSFOqmKxsazTjb9vNTa0hESJl7WQBa9KXSPPW3uoEdZJ_RfKd1p-KH2vzDUFGwFOx8zGf2EsCPeHjFeomn5p_-90wZXd22OIZc4sChM98Zvcn5hNJEHXyAA4zR1rCwGM9nM1/s400/newsigntnd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-86047364556642114372018-05-13T10:05:00.000-07:002018-05-13T10:05:08.955-07:00Letter Carrier Food Drive a Success<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Thanks to All Who Helped</h2>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a rainy day Saturday, but we thank all who donated, our volunteers and especially our North Adams letter carriers for a successful Letter Carrier Food Drive in the communities of North Adams, Clarksburg and Florida.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our initial collection was 5,779 lbs. donated in the three communities. More food usually trickles into the post office, so we will give the final total when we have it. At least 40 volunteers helped with the gathering and sorting of the donated items at the former Sears store space in the Steeple City Plaza.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some photos from the day:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDKSyQT6-BxgCMnwH3oUBfz-kaZ35QNxeJpIsJum-U8qV9KZICsHlbe5xv0kYII62AhnSyZFn-rZMh0lAIbLC6jV-DvK0XgtDKRSn3z0dbhdS4BxeM-LnBs4MqavVP1vA4i4pHEBzotby/s1600/IMG_20180512_120822064+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDKSyQT6-BxgCMnwH3oUBfz-kaZ35QNxeJpIsJum-U8qV9KZICsHlbe5xv0kYII62AhnSyZFn-rZMh0lAIbLC6jV-DvK0XgtDKRSn3z0dbhdS4BxeM-LnBs4MqavVP1vA4i4pHEBzotby/s400/IMG_20180512_120822064+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Al Nelson, Fran Morandi and Jocelyn Barrett help unload a truck.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JTjO1GuuC5YJf1sYTlhZVxQlJxXrENyzYycKch7p-xEuKfRpXAHce-XOtt_DuJ-V4G-mEN-eJdDinse_dRT7Vc3cfHwcJ1bohLDA7fDpRMeuE2psUBmt2S6K0p0iMjKr1bJirp_fVvNd/s1600/imagejpeg_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JTjO1GuuC5YJf1sYTlhZVxQlJxXrENyzYycKch7p-xEuKfRpXAHce-XOtt_DuJ-V4G-mEN-eJdDinse_dRT7Vc3cfHwcJ1bohLDA7fDpRMeuE2psUBmt2S6K0p0iMjKr1bJirp_fVvNd/s400/imagejpeg_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Rich Davis weighed most of the food and Fran Berasi, seated, recorded and added the weights.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnKFPZsZxPY9cztOZIMBW0A1JYEFJXog3UyOOgJWHTdXchcM0dKzXmkONdqPu4OnvMH_CgJVjg9TKYvcF1JOtMuCpkWz-IsrXx214rbkxZLlXCEZvBV3LooC48YWYBXsxx7ylpxgfuqfo/s1600/IMG_20180512_121020313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnKFPZsZxPY9cztOZIMBW0A1JYEFJXog3UyOOgJWHTdXchcM0dKzXmkONdqPu4OnvMH_CgJVjg9TKYvcF1JOtMuCpkWz-IsrXx214rbkxZLlXCEZvBV3LooC48YWYBXsxx7ylpxgfuqfo/s400/IMG_20180512_121020313.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Our donation sorting system in action.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOptmvmyX9zEJhyLjIvgzr-hSiPt44SpkuGj0A-HJIEEHiS3HR1i-WiyChQqovBPiSKkUXhcBGhfHSA4eSHc55TqpCRX8CN5jsSAVejVdaTuweLNTihE9AQI1UcLWyaSMs92jqhM6r1Qmw/s1600/IMG_20180512_153131174+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOptmvmyX9zEJhyLjIvgzr-hSiPt44SpkuGj0A-HJIEEHiS3HR1i-WiyChQqovBPiSKkUXhcBGhfHSA4eSHc55TqpCRX8CN5jsSAVejVdaTuweLNTihE9AQI1UcLWyaSMs92jqhM6r1Qmw/s400/IMG_20180512_153131174+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>In the late afternoon we had a big rush.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSby4Vr2HH62znPWjOCHH85Ns79iDsq2rk-k0Z_xKJ9oy8I_VVQeh9sr53fxNJ3w1kPzwjgFzOTKzyEKlWlNFaP9pViBEkX0IC6u73C77-5ffQWLpcWqcsyn612AXaluNXjrxkDAMoCTX1/s1600/FOODDRIVE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSby4Vr2HH62znPWjOCHH85Ns79iDsq2rk-k0Z_xKJ9oy8I_VVQeh9sr53fxNJ3w1kPzwjgFzOTKzyEKlWlNFaP9pViBEkX0IC6u73C77-5ffQWLpcWqcsyn612AXaluNXjrxkDAMoCTX1/s400/FOODDRIVE1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Al jokes around with two of our letter carriers. Thanks to the Northern Berkshire United Way we were able to offer them, and our sorting volunteers, pizza and water.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPV0cD4jEIxxMD31k4WzRihL8BqoY_lKgE0-cIJsnIDcz_AjcSgv-790sCnwvlug2AvX_D5gauIPmc4F6Zgu4D3Ny7qh9NFOOk4ZvOrg_0z9pLY1PyABshPi3-Kq-I9mWiZrrieNXMB1n/s1600/IMG_20180512_174405678_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPV0cD4jEIxxMD31k4WzRihL8BqoY_lKgE0-cIJsnIDcz_AjcSgv-790sCnwvlug2AvX_D5gauIPmc4F6Zgu4D3Ny7qh9NFOOk4ZvOrg_0z9pLY1PyABshPi3-Kq-I9mWiZrrieNXMB1n/s400/IMG_20180512_174405678_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Al Nelson recorded the final total.</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thanks to All Involved!</b></span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-4751447017613465452018-04-29T19:24:00.000-07:002018-04-30T12:07:37.722-07:00Catching up on All Sorts of News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQkwqWVN4eIVXKMuQEFhK-gqfgKwH7bjNzslE8aHcgsorW02u_eCSZ4wAh90pbFxDwWO4Bz27Mbu8tIs6Oxr2C83vMC9u2ledQn_7fTFEhZsR-i5MBuP0_Sa-uFFYrtmyvCntgYvqyJ7C/s1600/Healthy+Donations%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQkwqWVN4eIVXKMuQEFhK-gqfgKwH7bjNzslE8aHcgsorW02u_eCSZ4wAh90pbFxDwWO4Bz27Mbu8tIs6Oxr2C83vMC9u2ledQn_7fTFEhZsR-i5MBuP0_Sa-uFFYrtmyvCntgYvqyJ7C/s640/Healthy+Donations%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Letter Carrier Food Drive Saturday, May 12</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the years since I started this blog at the urging of Al Bashevkin, retired executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, I don't think I have gone this long without posting. At any rate, there's a lot to catch up on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, as the flyer above indicates, Saturday, May 12, will be the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive. The information on this flyer comes from our friend Amanda Chilson of Mass In Motion. On the day of the drive, we will be sorting the donations at the former Sears store in the Steeple City Plaza. See file photo below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We sort the food the letter carriers pick up in North Adams, Clarksburg and Florida -- the same communities we serve as a food pantry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We can always use volunteers. Let us know if you can help or just show up around 11:30 a.m. or so on the day of the drive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqQdw1smORaJmXaWMICa4bNGjtXoUoNRpgnwk2GVHUCpyO6GBekfRtl73cYzG9enlrXAGUJ1E1UHJKUfgagBYWJsrA-Hoxr7m_XqMLfwZAbke97CVAiYk4PhrjibgV3ZOATmF_HnNObd9/s1600/New+Space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqQdw1smORaJmXaWMICa4bNGjtXoUoNRpgnwk2GVHUCpyO6GBekfRtl73cYzG9enlrXAGUJ1E1UHJKUfgagBYWJsrA-Hoxr7m_XqMLfwZAbke97CVAiYk4PhrjibgV3ZOATmF_HnNObd9/s400/New+Space.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Rich Davis at the former Sears space a few years ago. Volunteers will be sorting donated food there again this year on May 12. This is always a fun day. All are welcome to help out. Or just stop by and say "hi."</i></span><br />
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<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
United Way to Recognize Al Nelson</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4X-zfulYPr09vIHz8Rt6gLGTxwKwCvUTF59cTpXuPv9ey9dveRsUuRHCsFJ29fm0qBZBfMlfzYwVZ6Oi5yfyqRdzPCZJeMRnnlK3Sc_qL8JLKEsMP6Yd9Egoxkx1KisC5onz1ziJ7YVS/s1600/AlNHat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4X-zfulYPr09vIHz8Rt6gLGTxwKwCvUTF59cTpXuPv9ey9dveRsUuRHCsFJ29fm0qBZBfMlfzYwVZ6Oi5yfyqRdzPCZJeMRnnlK3Sc_qL8JLKEsMP6Yd9Egoxkx1KisC5onz1ziJ7YVS/s400/AlNHat.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Al wearing his light-up Patriots hat</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are very pleased to announce that our co-founder and co-director Al Nelson will be one of those recognized at the First Annual Spirit of Caring Awards and Celebration to be held on Thursday, May 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the MCLA Church Street Center. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This event is being presented by the Northern Berkshire United Way. Al will be receiving the Spirit of Caring Award. Former North Adams Mayor Dick Alcombright, who did much to help the Friendship Center Food Pantry while in office, will receive the Spirit of Community Award, and Christine Hoyt of Adams will receive the Spirit of the Future Award.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Al is the conscience and personality of the NBIAI and the Friendship Center Food Pantry, perhaps the finest person I have ever met. I am looking forward to seeing him honored.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual tickets for this fundraiser are $50 each. RSVP by May 7. Northern Berkshire United Way, P.O. Box 955, North Adams, MA 01247. Phone: 413-663-9062. Email: pmessina@nbunitedway.org.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NZpNaaBzY_w3bfFG3zEuqhR8S7CAPzaUKYOX2nd1v8xa0xtm4YaDFJ_7Da3fDbgpCDB-ppw-KLWujQxpsHE-N6bxJSx9pTkbm4jI2xXq_aXPz7z6fZuXXghAq-4xGg-Dz4zeoVP3tYrg/s1600/earlyAl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1598" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NZpNaaBzY_w3bfFG3zEuqhR8S7CAPzaUKYOX2nd1v8xa0xtm4YaDFJ_7Da3fDbgpCDB-ppw-KLWujQxpsHE-N6bxJSx9pTkbm4jI2xXq_aXPz7z6fZuXXghAq-4xGg-Dz4zeoVP3tYrg/s640/earlyAl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Al speaks to MCLA Lead Academy students in the early days of the Friendship Center</i></span></div>
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State. Rep. John Barrett III Visits Friendship Center</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our new Sate Rep. John Barrett III visited the Friendship Center Food Pantry recently. We had a productive discussion with him about the state's role in helping to meet food security needs in the state. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo was taken by Kim McMann, director of the Berkshire Food Project, who attended the meeting. From right, counterclockwise, Michelle Geoffrey, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Rep. Barrett, James Swinchoski, MCLA senior and spring intern with us, and Al Nelson and Mark Rondeau, of the NBIAI/Friendship Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">James, by the way, has been great to have around. He helped develop and conduct a survey for us of our food pantry friends and has worked on developing a website specifically for the Friendship Center!</span></div>
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North Berkshire Food Access Collaborative</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The North Berkshire Food Access Collaborative held its second meeting on Friday, March 9, at the Green Space on Main Street in North Adams. More than 30 people attended. It was a very productive meeting and much interest was expressed by varied stakeholders from throughout Berkshire </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">County in a Food Hub. What this would entail and mean has yet to be fully fleshed out but it could be quite exciting and many people are enthused about the idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next quarterly meeting of the Collaborative will be on Friday, June 15. Stay tuned for more information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Amanda Chilson speaks to part of those attending the March 9 meeting of the Collaborative. Below, the partial group discussion of a food hub generated much interest.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's all for now. Thanks and God Bless,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mark Rondeau</span></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-45100439698983270742017-11-05T20:15:00.005-08:002017-11-06T17:54:53.351-08:00New BFP Director, Recipes from EB-3, Micah Awards<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Kim McMann, new director of the Berkshire Food Project, at our Oct. 20 public meeting.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have some news to pass along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On Friday, Oct. 20, old friend Kim McMann came to our public
interfaith meeting. Kim is the new director of the Berkshire Food Project. Back
when she was with North Adams with Target Hunger she helped us out when we were
starting the Friendship Center Food Pantry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kim replaces out old friend Valerie Schwarz, who ran the BFP
from its inception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kim talked about her plans for the Food Project. And we talked
about areas of shared cooperation. We are very excited she's back in Northern
Berkshire.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Kim McMann, Gordon Clark and Jonathan Schwartz at our Oct. 20 meeting. Nine people attended in all.</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">EB-3 at the Eagle
Street Room<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><i>North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright at the Eagle Street Room for the EB-3 food sampling and recipe offering.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">More recently, our friends from the North Adams Public School
EB-3 alternative program, came to the Eagle Street Room on Wednesday, Nov. 1,
with food samples from recipes they had been working on. They also had the
printed recipes available for our pantry members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The recipes included Seven-Layer Bean Dip, Spinach and Grilled
Chicken Penne, French Toast Casserole, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Baked Ziti,
Scrambled Eggs with Spinach & Parmesan, Rice Cakes, Black Bean Dip, Warm
Cinnamon Apples, Potato Sausage Casserole, Chicken Stir Fry, Bacon, Egg and
Cheese Bagel, and Pasta Salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is not the first time EB-3 has worked with us. A couple of
years ago they produced a very well-done cookbook for our food pantry members.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Another view of the EB-3 presentation (photo from North Adams Public School Facebook)</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We honor two at Micah
Awards Celebration<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Corinne Case and Aubrey Armstrong. Photo from BIO 2nd Annual Micah Celebration program.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><i>BIO First Vice President Jim Kolesar and Corinne Case at the celebration. </i></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(BIO photo)</i><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You may know that the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action
Initiative Inc. is a non-congregational member of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing.
BIO's mission statement is: “We work together to make social justice real in
our community and improve the quality of life for all in the Berkshires.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How does BIO go about this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“We bring together people of faith and values by sharing our
stories to: Increase our power to act for justice; Develop skills to be more
effective in the public arena; Take action on issues of common concern for our
member groups; Ensure that those affected by the issues craft the solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By doing this we: Build relationships and strengthen community Identify
and develop diverse local leaders. Achieve systemic solutions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
annual celebration is based on the famous verse from the famous Old Testament
(Hebrew Bible) book of Micah (6:8): “And what does the Lord require of you? To
act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
year we nominated Aubrey Armstrong and Corinne Case for the award. Each BIO
member organization had the opportunity to nominate one or two of its members. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
celebration was held on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Stationery Factory in Dalton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I wrote
and read the nomination for our two nominees. Unfortunately, Aubrey was unable
to attend, but Corinne did so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In addition to Aubrey and Corinne, other of our friends and
volunteers were honored at the Micah Awards by their congregations. For
instance, BIO member First Congregational Church of Williamstown honored Phil
and Susan Smith. Rev. Mark Longhurst, pastor of First Congregational, noted
that Phil had the idea for the volunteer-driven rides-home program we now offer
at the Friendship Center. He had heard how much we had been spending on taxi
rides and resolved to do something about it! He and Susan were honored for a
lifetime of service.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Phil and Susan Smith, center. The Rev. Mark Longhurst at right. (BIO photo)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">St. John's Episcopal Church in Williamstown named Robin Lenz and
Charles Bonenti as its nominees. Robin has participated in our rides program,
and she and Charles run the church’s garden, from which they have given the
Friendship Center plenty of produce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To conclude, here my
prepared remarks at the celebration:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Northern Berkshire
Interfaith Action Initiative (NBIAI) is proud to nominate Aubrey Armstrong and
Corinne Case as our co-nominees for the 2017 Micah Award. They both exemplify
an honest, humble and effective attitude of service in all they do.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both women have
represented the NBIAI on the BIO Executive Board and other BIO
activities. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aubrey Armstrong</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> until quite recently was a member of the
NBIAI Board of Directors, which is primarily occupied with running the
Friendship Center Food Pantry in North Adams, our major ongoing project. Aubrey
has supported the pantry in numerous ways. She has been key in helping us find
ways of better serving the homeless people we encounter in our work. Her
advocacy has also included being a liaison between the NBIAI and the Berkshire
Food Project. Aubrey was a key member in BIO’s task force responding to the
closing of the Price Chopper in North Adams, where her knowledge of
transportation issues was particularly helpful.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aubrey’s positive
attitude, thoughtfulness and detailed knowledge of many subjects will be missed
as she moves on. We hope she will check in from time to time as she is able
with both the Interfaith Action Initiative and BIO.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corinne Case</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> is one of a small handful of people who founded the NBIAI in 2010,
an opportunity for “people of different faiths and denominations to work with
others of goodwill to serve our community.” She helped found the Friendship
Center Food Pantry in 2011, and served on the NBIAI Board of Directors for
several years. Corinne’s professional training and passion for service has been
a huge benefit to our work. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">These include her
current and past work in such fields as Adult Basic Education and Tobacco
Cessation, among others. In addition, Corinne’s understanding of the interfaith
aspect of the NBIAI was key in establishing this as a non-negotiable part of
our identity. She is a regular presence during food pantry day at the First
Baptist Church of North Adams, ready to help out visiting friends with their
education needs and more.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On a personal note, I
first met Corinne when she was running a grief support group for the VNA and
Hospice of what was then Northern Berkshire Health Systems. She was a great
help to me as I dealt with the loss of two family members. A few years later,
after another loss, she again helped me deal with it in an unofficial capacity.
I will never forget her help with this.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The NBIAI thanks BIO
for the opportunity to honor these two wonderful people with the Micah Award.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Several hundred people attended the BIO awards celebration.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s all for now.
God Bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mark</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-3974756837699616432017-09-05T17:00:00.000-07:002017-09-05T17:00:02.259-07:00Where Am I? At the Friendship Center, That's Where
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuapEqU5trFYjwyBHKzbq5H678KkR6PgFRguIwJtBYqVljftDr11u_erVY_Cx3RtOwM3u-dloQLC1u-8hW_4AL8IzuEql6KJCleR7ysCn_PDqOR3HjI_yJWe2avHChKW04jRzYPaYtuV-j/s1600/WmsOne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuapEqU5trFYjwyBHKzbq5H678KkR6PgFRguIwJtBYqVljftDr11u_erVY_Cx3RtOwM3u-dloQLC1u-8hW_4AL8IzuEql6KJCleR7ysCn_PDqOR3HjI_yJWe2avHChKW04jRzYPaYtuV-j/s640/WmsOne.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Here are the nine students from the Where Am I program who helped out on Saturday.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were pleased on Saturday, Sept. 2,
to host a group of Williams College students with the Where Am I?
local community orientation and service program.
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Most were first-year students, with two
sophomores leading the group. They came from such diverse places as
Queens, N.Y.; Boston; Los Angeles; and Ethiopia.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After a hearing a brief description of
what we do, the students took on a wide array of tasks. NBIAI Board
of Directors members Sheila Bounds, who is volunteer coordinator;
Fran Berasi; and Mark Rondeau each had tasks for the students.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLBexD1jFwLjyfncpb_qvNFfAmDHLtzjfZJUJZ3GXnM7aQagM_7WREDqEOSuatljSROVS9lE-3N8TGu9D7fOTCu5O708r4qc1IQBNBK68ydRivAERsbmts36JKyUaRxZyCHJiiIBODFj9/s1600/WmsThree.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLBexD1jFwLjyfncpb_qvNFfAmDHLtzjfZJUJZ3GXnM7aQagM_7WREDqEOSuatljSROVS9lE-3N8TGu9D7fOTCu5O708r4qc1IQBNBK68ydRivAERsbmts36JKyUaRxZyCHJiiIBODFj9/s640/WmsThree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Here are the students working on repackaging cat and dog food. The pet food comes from the Berkshire Humane Society and from private donations.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The students bagged cat and dog food,
and a group went out to Stop & Shop and bought more with money
they were given; they repackaged diapers; one students did data
entry; they put return stickers and stamps on envelopes for our
upcoming letter fund-raising campaign; one student made copies of our
fund-raising letter and fact sheet. To top it all off before they
left, the students made the weekend cleaning the Friendship Center
much easier by thoroughly sweeping the floor.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Though we have had the Where Am I?
program visit in the past, I have a hard time remembering the name,
at times calling it You Are Here! or Where Are We? At any rate, on a
long walk on Monday in Williamstown, I discovered from a sign along
Main Street that they are involved in the habitat restoration project
near the old Spruces site. In fact, last week I saw a group of young
people working there, and they were probably the same students we saw
on Saturday. (See photos below).</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Working with local students is one of
the many enjoyable things about this work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Students in the foreground are re-packaging pet food while the students in the back are re-packaging diapers. We get our diapers from the Berkshire Diaper Project.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrmenJPI9w1g5R4v8jnFUUtdw2jV0wPOC0pquB1qItZ9YofM2E-4zJsu10W-BMjcZBdiIfycapQjUkBBwHdNRyItWMstZVMW-p-B73J_Fbpetz2NA55J-6Z7EmfIVKxtNgyDuMbtzcSNo/s1600/WmsFive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrmenJPI9w1g5R4v8jnFUUtdw2jV0wPOC0pquB1qItZ9YofM2E-4zJsu10W-BMjcZBdiIfycapQjUkBBwHdNRyItWMstZVMW-p-B73J_Fbpetz2NA55J-6Z7EmfIVKxtNgyDuMbtzcSNo/s640/WmsFive.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> One of the Williams students did data entry for us, entering information about our volunteers onto a spreadsheet. That's volunteer coordinator Sheila in the background updating the volunteer board.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ty_X7fRNFVsSndnblwmldzSCq4gBCzLT4hwKjpPA6z2N7EmPJtw-OlAQxMet0Z8e_Y-ay7S5Sl5KUSBRgdAo7NC4JuJhyphenhyphens8jBOJm5x5Z7ULZngADswV-X1k6LRHLjWhzALkVAQNw0rI9/s1600/WmsSix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ty_X7fRNFVsSndnblwmldzSCq4gBCzLT4hwKjpPA6z2N7EmPJtw-OlAQxMet0Z8e_Y-ay7S5Sl5KUSBRgdAo7NC4JuJhyphenhyphens8jBOJm5x5Z7ULZngADswV-X1k6LRHLjWhzALkVAQNw0rI9/s640/WmsSix.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the habitat restoration project in Williamstown that the Where Am I? Williams students also worked on.</span></i><br /><br />
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-34664126114202850842017-09-05T16:15:00.000-07:002017-09-05T16:15:25.974-07:00We Celebrate Versatile Volunteer Kevin Tyree
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9o-IQmTz1o_vXz9NnI6zG1xcwfGNS6bIY1LY_fZZWKnC-6oWcUN7-1hObbEwFHihsDAWSlIZV8kxEDJwwkVVssPzBK7AR7k9N9Y8R-qNDreiY_7h3tCJcganFBlGPkpE0KAejSg5Rfd3/s1600/HPIM3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9o-IQmTz1o_vXz9NnI6zG1xcwfGNS6bIY1LY_fZZWKnC-6oWcUN7-1hObbEwFHihsDAWSlIZV8kxEDJwwkVVssPzBK7AR7k9N9Y8R-qNDreiY_7h3tCJcganFBlGPkpE0KAejSg5Rfd3/s640/HPIM3130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Here's a photo Kevin provided in documenting a trip back and forth to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the February 2013, Kevin Tyree
has been an invaluable volunteer with the Friendship Center Food
Pantry. Over the years he has been very involved in food
transportation, picking up a rented truck and driving either to the
local depot in Pittsfield or directly to the Food Bank of Western
Massachusetts in Hatfield, roughly a 100-mile round trip. Then after
helping unloaded the truck he would return it to the rental agency.
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<span style="font-size: large;">For several years, he drove the truck
on Tuesdays the great majority of the time. We could not have thrived
as a food operation during this time without his help. He has ceased
being involved in weekly food transportation, but fortunately he
continues to help in other ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For instance, Kevin also has been a key
presence during the annual Letter Carrier Food Drive during the
second Saturday in May — not only helping on the Saturday itself
but in setting up the sorting space downtown and in transporting the
collected food over to the Friendship Center in stages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Here's photo I took of Kevin a few years ago.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin is a regular presence helping out
at the food pantry during the morning and early afternoon session on
Wednesday.. In the past he has helped in the evening at the Eagle
Street Room with the setup and putting away of tables and cleanup. He
has also over the years helped with various mechanical and technical
aspects, such as when we changed and upgrades our door locks and
putting new wheels on one of our hand carts. He's also taken photos of our activities from time to time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin is good with computers and often
helps out during morning session when there’s a problem with the
sign-in computer. In fact, just this past Saturday Kevin came down to
pick up a start-up disk in an effort to get our new sign-in computer
up and running properly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin is a cheerful and helpful
presence, who cares very much about what we do and about the friends
we serve. We greatly appreciate who he is and all he does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Here's a photo of our celebration of the birthday of another stalwart volunteer, Lois Hescock. That's Kevin standing behind her in his cowboy hat. We have the best volunteers in the non-profit world.</i></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Mark Rondeau</span></div>
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</span>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-67607025922037403942017-08-01T17:31:00.003-07:002017-08-04T14:36:59.338-07:00In Confusing Times, We Stay Focused on Our Mission <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb-LsdzFh2httdCumvk9hjO8i2_u5DB8eUFvmYqhqxWTlbNCq0-OcRuuDh6CG9v_LEoGZA3ta1P7xNRQUMzhdAdAng5EadggSYFyqhTmX2HGPA59g1QaD0fJcVlA_wgzFVd8Ruo9ws4Ou/s1600/FCFPTOP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb-LsdzFh2httdCumvk9hjO8i2_u5DB8eUFvmYqhqxWTlbNCq0-OcRuuDh6CG9v_LEoGZA3ta1P7xNRQUMzhdAdAng5EadggSYFyqhTmX2HGPA59g1QaD0fJcVlA_wgzFVd8Ruo9ws4Ou/s640/FCFPTOP.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Paul Jennings, at left, drove the truck back and forth from Hatfield today. That's our Food Distribution Coordinator Rich Davis at right in the green shirt.</span></i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today on Tuesday, Aug.
1, we unloaded more than 6,500 lbs. of food from the Foodbank of
Western Massachusetts in Hatfield. We definitely needed this food
after serving a total of 194 households on Wednesday, July 26.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all our great
volunteers and supporters, who have kept the Friendship Center Food
Pantry going strong since it opened in February 2011.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's that time of year
when we plan our annual fundraising letter campaign. We are an
all-volunteer organization and we keep costs down, true, but it takes
money to keep all that necessary food coming in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2016, we served 1,007
unique households consisting of 2,863 individuals. We served an
average of 130 households per week. We distributed 290,696 lbs. of
food. The average amount spent on food weekly was $2,730. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to providing
food, we also make services available at the Eagle Street Room of
First Baptist Church North Adams. These include a nurse from
Berkshire Medical Center and numerous others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In recent years, to help
people get home with their groceries, our volunteers have started a
rides program. As I wrote to those involved a few months ago to thank
them: "<span style="font-size: xx-small;">We gave our food pantry
friends 1,312 rides in 2016. In December, we provided 109 volunteer
rides. The month with the greatest number of rides was November (five
weeks) at 156; February was the lowest month with 74 rides."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At $7 per ride, if we used
a local taxi, this number of rides would have cost $9,184 -- a cost
we could not and would not have borne. Yet, as we give an average of
35+ lbs. of food per household in a hilly area, these rides are an
enormous service to our members.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those not on our mailing
list who would like to support us, may made a tax-deductible
contribution to the Friendship Center Food Pantry and mail it to The
Friendship Center, 45 Eagle St., North Adams, MA 01247.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">At work today, Rich Wolfe, standing, and Jocelyn Barrett, seated behind door are expert at shelving and refrigerating the food. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">September Meeting</span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this turbulent era, we
have decided that it remains important to keep as many forums for
dialogue open as possible. With this in mind, our public interfaith
meetings will resume in September. Our next public interfaith meeting
will be held on Friday, Sept. 15. Our topic will be an update on the
federal and state funding picture for program for those in need. The
meeting will be held at the Eagle Street Room of FBNA and begin at 10
a.m.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the possibility of
deep cuts in safety net programs – such as the Supplemental
Nutritional Assistance Program – we fear the number of people in
need in our community may increase dramatically. Working together is
the best way to meet this crisis – if it indeed comes. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For more information,
contact northernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com or call Mark at
413-664-0130 and leave a message.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for Everything. Keep the Faith and God Bless,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark</span></span><br />
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-19990124124042360542017-01-03T16:01:00.000-08:002017-01-03T17:16:09.229-08:00OUR FIRST TUESDAY ROUTINE<span style="font-size: large;">We pick up our food provided for us to distribute by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts every Tuesday. Most Tuesdays we wait until it is transported from the Food Bank in Hatfield to a depot at Berkshire Community Action on East Street in Pittsfield. Then we go down and get it in a rented truck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">(On the third Tuesday of the month, the Goodwill truck picks up the food for us, which we greatly appreciate.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, the first Tuesday of the month, we rent a bigger U-Haul truck and drive it the 50 miles to the Food Bank to pick up the food ourselves. Among other considerations, this allows us to take advantage of additional foods offered on site at the Food Bank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Tuesday, Jan. 3, was the first Tuesday of 2017 and so we rented a truck in North Adams and went to Hatfield. Most of the following photos were taken, and captioned by our great volunteer, Kevin Tyree, who drives our truck most weeks and helps out in many other ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(Kevin didn't want me to use his last name but everybody knows him and he deserves the recognition).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin took a new driver, Terry, with him. When they came back to the Friendship Center, we had a substantial crew ready to help unload the truck and and stock the shelves -- something they do every week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, here are the photos:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhqyE-3Yd0Yp7upFtq4efupe5mWNhSLCOPJEeugBW5KtetJq422iR2uIy9wRqyzb1dKDvb6Jt197WJTaBbyBAb5JlyhzxaUi88H3mbvRftdJImMrZBoEWlyGQxbQCf9h7E-bSKESXcKRQ/s1600/Kevin+Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhqyE-3Yd0Yp7upFtq4efupe5mWNhSLCOPJEeugBW5KtetJq422iR2uIy9wRqyzb1dKDvb6Jt197WJTaBbyBAb5JlyhzxaUi88H3mbvRftdJImMrZBoEWlyGQxbQCf9h7E-bSKESXcKRQ/s640/Kevin+Two.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>At the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in rural Hatfield.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PQ9yFa6qU37D7pADN_M0bFXfaGXd3mzxVz_55BbwnIKJtL9udCQvT3NHOT3w7pgpklTRMwjfiZhjc-wsoHPW2xLIEPZ0B7Eqg6anRAwO1rH3FHAJApEFS1mKfxRNAunl5cRW54g_HKf_/s1600/KevinFive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PQ9yFa6qU37D7pADN_M0bFXfaGXd3mzxVz_55BbwnIKJtL9udCQvT3NHOT3w7pgpklTRMwjfiZhjc-wsoHPW2xLIEPZ0B7Eqg6anRAwO1rH3FHAJApEFS1mKfxRNAunl5cRW54g_HKf_/s640/KevinFive.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Inside the Food Bank</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAdPygomZXNm_FUro9lNkf4iaECZqzOFzF6mkkk4NUWL7N81U71hvZMc6iMYIPLFyNa542jpy_Dszp5pRBdHAiDJiKqZvPvoDZTYCclb4MBWUHzxqXQivRnR5HcCmkktJp9foIQPns-9h/s1600/KevinSix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAdPygomZXNm_FUro9lNkf4iaECZqzOFzF6mkkk4NUWL7N81U71hvZMc6iMYIPLFyNa542jpy_Dszp5pRBdHAiDJiKqZvPvoDZTYCclb4MBWUHzxqXQivRnR5HcCmkktJp9foIQPns-9h/s640/KevinSix.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> A closeup of Mike unloading the truck.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> The pallets of food are wrapped in plastic.</span></i> </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> I like this photo in particular, it shows the intensity of the work that goes into the unloading.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I like to just stand around and watch.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Another shot of our volunteers helping to stock the shelves, that's Jocelyn at the left by the refrigerator.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In mid-February, the Friendship Center Food Pantry will observe its sixth birthday. We have been an all-volunteer organization the entire time. We have the greatest volunteers in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God Bless,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mark </span>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-20556620680760944552016-12-07T11:21:00.001-08:002016-12-07T19:51:48.185-08:00Catching Up on News & Looking Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the poster indicates, our Friday, Dec. 16, public meeting will focus on the outcome of the 2016 elections, particularly at the national level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At our first Board of Directors meeting after the election, our Co-Director and Board Vice President read a reflection that said in part: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“This is not the first time out country has been divided. ...Faith at its core is not about ignoring the state of the world around you or the challenges that lie ahead. Rather it's found in the perseverance in working to make what seems impossible, possible. And always, as scripture reminds us, our faith is judged by our treatment of those who society sees as the least of these. So, we all have work to do.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the poster indicates, the meeting will start at 10 a.m. at the Eagle Street Room of the Friendship Center at the First Baptist Church North Adams. All are welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am working to gain some information in advance of this meeting. Here are two interesting resources gathered so far:<a href="https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2016/12/04/loving-enemies-trump-administration/" target="_blank"> Loving your enemies during a Trump administration</a>. And <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/20100216/ten-ways-fight-hate-community-response-guide" target="_blank">a guide for fighting hate in your community. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Volunteer Dinner on Dec. 4. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to our new Volunteer Coordinator, Sheila Bounds, about 30 of us had a great Friendship Center Food Pantry volunteer dinner on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the 96 House in Williamstown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strange as it seems, that's only about two-thirds of our number of volunteers at any one time. Several of our most dedicated volunteers did not attend this event. We are, of course, an all volunteer</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great time with a great dinner. Thanks particularly to Sheila for organizing it!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Al Nelson at right with Susan and Bob Dubriel.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Tracy Finnegan, Fran Berasi and Dan Bird.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Several but not all of us, lined up at the bar to get drinks.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Al Nelson in his rightful place at the head of the table!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A presence at the Holiday Walk</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Thanks to Anna Singleton, we receive an invitation to participate in the Williamstown Holiday Walk, specifically the non-profit fair in the Lasell Gym. Mark Rondeau and Dan Bird (pictured in the second photo) manned a table between BFAIR and the Williamstown Youth Center. It was quite an event and we raised $70 in donations and gave out some literature.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <i>You can see how many people attended from this photo taken from the upper level jogging track. The second photo gives you a good view of Dan and of our table.</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some other recent highlights</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Chip Joffe-Halpern, executive director of Berksire AHEC, former executive director of Ecu-Healthcare and Karen Baumbach, current director of Ecu-Healthcare, were the presenters at our October public interfaith meeting. They shared plenty of good information about the local healthcare scene. We did not have a public meeting in November.</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> In November, all the departments of the City of North Adams again did a food drive for us, raising more than 900 lbs. That's Mayor Dick Alcombright on the left helping bring the food in. At right, is Rich Davis, Friendship Center Food Distribution Coordinator.</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> Fran Berasi was again our judge at the Project 350 Oh, Be Thankful Apple Pie Contest at the North Adams American Legion. This event and efforts by the Gabriel Abbott School in Florida have benefited us and other non-profits the past several years. No more specifics to report at this time about this event.</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> We have a prayer box at the Eagle Street Room each week, and we regularly pray as a group and as individuals for our food pantry friends - and others for that matter. Today I walked in to discover that someone had made us a new prayer box, right behind our sign. The old, original, reddish orange box can be seen behind it.</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Thats all for now. God Bless,</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> Mark Rondeau</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></h3>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-83460240549698015832016-09-16T15:59:00.000-07:002016-09-16T15:59:09.725-07:00Communication Across Barriers' and more!
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">That's Kim McMann, third from the left.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We
had a great interfaith meeting today, with old friend Kim McMann, who
many of you know from when she led Target Hunger in Northern
Berkshire, speaking on the anti-poverty approach “Communication
Across Barriers.” Among Kim's many qualifications, she is a
certified speaker on this topic.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Her
hour-long discussion was great and included some interpersonal
exercises. Kim was a big help when we started the Friendship Center Food Pantry. It was great to see her again.</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Linda Huebner, with Allan Dallman from the Food. </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our
first speaker was Linda Huebner of the Yes on Question 3 campaign,
which will be on the Massachusetts ballot in the November election.
In short, it is intended to prevent the cruel confinement of farm
animals. It also has food safety and environmental implications.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I
intend to recommend to our Board of Directors at our next meeting that
we officially endorse this campaign </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In
all, 13 people attend this, our first public meeting since the
spring. Our next Interfaith meeting will be held on Friday, Oct. 21,
at 10 a.m. at First Baptist. We don't have a topic yet, so let me
know if you have an idea: <a href="mailto:nothernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com">nothernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative monthly meetings are
a time of prayer, fellowship and informational discussions and
presentations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
NBIAI and its Friendship Center Food Pantry are the work of people of
different faiths and denominations working with others of good will
to serve our community. For more information about this meeting or
any of our activities, visit
<a href="http://northernberkshireinterfaith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://northernberkshireinterfaith.blogspot.com</a>,
call Mark at <a href="tel:413-664-0130" target="_blank">413-664-0130</a>
or call the Friendship Center at <a href="tel:413-664-0123" target="_blank">413-664-0123</a>.</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Al Nelson enveloped in light, because I was too lazy to get up and take the photo from a different angle.</span></i></div>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-64955091075665454182016-08-17T19:58:00.001-07:002016-08-21T18:42:03.355-07:00Friendship Center holds Open House - Updated<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Wednesday, Aug. 17, the Friendship Center Food Pantry held an Open House at its location, 45 Eagle Street, North Adams, during the annual North Adams Downtown Celebration. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in the day, we served a total of 123 families in our morning and afternoon sessions. For the Open House, our recently installed Volunteer Coordinator, Sheila Bounds put out a beautiful spread for our visitors. Thanks to all who volunteered.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"We got some foot traffic, signed up some new volunteers and educated others about what we do," wrote our grants and computer wizard Fran Berasi in her weekly Wednesday report. "So all in all, a good day."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original date for the Open House was last Wednesday, but it was cancelled, along with the Downtown Celebration, because of the threat of rain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We invited to the Open House those we wrote to in our annual letter campaign for the Friendship Center Food Pantry. Everyone else was welcome, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those who want to make a donation may make it out to the Friendship Center Food Pantry, 45 Eagle St., North Adams, MA 01247. All contributions are tax deductible through our parent organization, Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative Inc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our multi-tasking dynamo, Kevin Tyree, took these photos and we thank him!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Anne Nelson and Sheila Bounds talk to an unidentified man.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some visitors and some volunteers.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Volunteer Ray Moore at the desk.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqWcBBG2UY87je2RAAgo8htYHZaEfEKOQhLzFoZu6All9cGHjyq9AvuLPxSBtf6sLSPB9xo4BaKZq55_fHUAOkYHpBSgsGCkHyNIWCY6HrKM9XK9E92yaJpeFvdAPZxPKEASyzA7zsvjZ/s1600/four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqWcBBG2UY87je2RAAgo8htYHZaEfEKOQhLzFoZu6All9cGHjyq9AvuLPxSBtf6sLSPB9xo4BaKZq55_fHUAOkYHpBSgsGCkHyNIWCY6HrKM9XK9E92yaJpeFvdAPZxPKEASyzA7zsvjZ/s640/four.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dan Bird, Eagle Street Room foreman and much more</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43hHbSmfRbUHV7wT-Muve7pz85JDbfir2ZhbuzRxjWRIBCj_ztQiakAkZTHZvXRAduMR7v98ZN5B30zkXd-y6CJs60do_R3TRdAckrqpFo-ixrxR1gaMTLs3kd78O-r8NdIBOJfhw3W3O/s1600/five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43hHbSmfRbUHV7wT-Muve7pz85JDbfir2ZhbuzRxjWRIBCj_ztQiakAkZTHZvXRAduMR7v98ZN5B30zkXd-y6CJs60do_R3TRdAckrqpFo-ixrxR1gaMTLs3kd78O-r8NdIBOJfhw3W3O/s640/five.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Rich Davis, food distribution coordinator</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOsEhSWucAHLAl6wQ2rh7VRgOfTGs918z29gZsxJIKv_Mt9p71cZy5tB_1Xf3-IGejVdavKaj3j1bxmxtWYXiIZGWO9HoknGZs4oUZbcnOcmsSUBTl-GDsTZtnYlc5WG6H1nI6mIRKEO4/s1600/six.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOsEhSWucAHLAl6wQ2rh7VRgOfTGs918z29gZsxJIKv_Mt9p71cZy5tB_1Xf3-IGejVdavKaj3j1bxmxtWYXiIZGWO9HoknGZs4oUZbcnOcmsSUBTl-GDsTZtnYlc5WG6H1nI6mIRKEO4/s640/six.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Some of volunteers, including Sharon May, at left in back, talk with a visitor.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGWjgedcW9bas5pwe3VicMjzgjePseDmtr5toF_6-91vWT2rRDF6tkt5S-g8Iox2bHSqqBvFTIar3AxzPzko862al06fUmz9D83kR28BxVfulfcA3qui56jQt1w8SjT5qCVUUv0qQkjSp/s1600/seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGWjgedcW9bas5pwe3VicMjzgjePseDmtr5toF_6-91vWT2rRDF6tkt5S-g8Iox2bHSqqBvFTIar3AxzPzko862al06fUmz9D83kR28BxVfulfcA3qui56jQt1w8SjT5qCVUUv0qQkjSp/s640/seven.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> That's Fran Berasi at right behind the counter, talking with Anne Nelson. At left is Bernadette "Bernie" Burdick from Florida Mountain.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZYACtF8yGvmewMT2WPHBgHnWRZhhN40MgCzmCLla4dCokCxavFSqo4f_erjLbNye_JLb7mScXIpRO9DwHFGqaKTaqDXitDDfPJTH0DdWtIz0DXXPUTZgrIrrjzvDiLYNp9YoOLUkzx_a/s1600/eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZYACtF8yGvmewMT2WPHBgHnWRZhhN40MgCzmCLla4dCokCxavFSqo4f_erjLbNye_JLb7mScXIpRO9DwHFGqaKTaqDXitDDfPJTH0DdWtIz0DXXPUTZgrIrrjzvDiLYNp9YoOLUkzx_a/s640/eight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> They also serve who only stand and wait...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiBPfb0jhwTLis-7B8rvn2Quyvqsl47A7Jp_tq1b_10APCmeYsfrb48fxeS9WEEvwE5dycEAWTMKQZXzn3yTGOkP5VzsVxlJjBLHjeUNGj3c8PlUWavMozn776CIN4rjoPI88F4vIwMZq/s1600/nine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiBPfb0jhwTLis-7B8rvn2Quyvqsl47A7Jp_tq1b_10APCmeYsfrb48fxeS9WEEvwE5dycEAWTMKQZXzn3yTGOkP5VzsVxlJjBLHjeUNGj3c8PlUWavMozn776CIN4rjoPI88F4vIwMZq/s640/nine.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> In back, Dan Bird; Dave Wesley, our treasurer; Al Nelson, co-founder, vice president and our conscience; Fran Berasi; Sheila Bounds, Sharon May; and Jessica the Frost Fairy; Seated: Anne Nelson and Bernie Burdick.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ecAlC4_ag51IWKWqlWKikJnVpM6bOi06kknDOjWWGr67fwDgdokcFoXMTy-nwRLnFFey_lVHeQZxYrWkQW0tSdSanQg0dBI-LDl29b9gqDL04ubDFcXdFrbGPHMsU2ylna7qy7Xeqfmz/s1600/ten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ecAlC4_ag51IWKWqlWKikJnVpM6bOi06kknDOjWWGr67fwDgdokcFoXMTy-nwRLnFFey_lVHeQZxYrWkQW0tSdSanQg0dBI-LDl29b9gqDL04ubDFcXdFrbGPHMsU2ylna7qy7Xeqfmz/s640/ten.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Much the same as before but with Kevin Tyree, front left, in front of the camera. Dan Bird probably took this photo.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg171ITsTjzGpBrXV3A70E337zezBHz3WiD6EoQOnP3R7IXGQR9r8cR3ve2rfN2_zLBnRzDYRzEL8knAc0_5NwYWNh7dyTy16LZlNnL3QoS9sEjxZB0_l2aL0g5frFB3MY40wWNSsWUfgQr/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg171ITsTjzGpBrXV3A70E337zezBHz3WiD6EoQOnP3R7IXGQR9r8cR3ve2rfN2_zLBnRzDYRzEL8knAc0_5NwYWNh7dyTy16LZlNnL3QoS9sEjxZB0_l2aL0g5frFB3MY40wWNSsWUfgQr/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">That's Tuesday and Wednesday volunteer Jocelyn Barrett standing in back against the open door.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJyBkdD6gJ8zFSHptzFVAji3JZnf4wu2baZgMUKGkLolB1SRKI8cNXc884OmzgakAUZ7eiOeRcLpxy_pHu6AZWI_t9EcNEhNheLIGkPwroTaf4eNKGySZC5G1QfinMI3YWn3ap0G-4JI/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJyBkdD6gJ8zFSHptzFVAji3JZnf4wu2baZgMUKGkLolB1SRKI8cNXc884OmzgakAUZ7eiOeRcLpxy_pHu6AZWI_t9EcNEhNheLIGkPwroTaf4eNKGySZC5G1QfinMI3YWn3ap0G-4JI/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Rich Davis in this one.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmPKl2pzQ6LVRCXIc44XhODMXee3vh_nZAquoGcqwAfQsZOeb2JYCIxIK9cnI2ltQnT2ItWGahI_1Xec2ZKRRN-aH3rgYJRE6Uo94I12EyxBMKUEyVQil4e80Zqs4RyNIUBMc5FaNl0AC/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmPKl2pzQ6LVRCXIc44XhODMXee3vh_nZAquoGcqwAfQsZOeb2JYCIxIK9cnI2ltQnT2ItWGahI_1Xec2ZKRRN-aH3rgYJRE6Uo94I12EyxBMKUEyVQil4e80Zqs4RyNIUBMc5FaNl0AC/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Bob and Ruby Scott, two of our great evening shift volunteers.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all and <b>God Bless,</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mark Rondeau</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-11853822543393121362016-04-18T19:30:00.001-07:002016-04-18T19:30:42.739-07:00Huge attendance at Food Insecurity follow-up meeting
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k1SQh1oXpxzpiuy66tUIG_vNHjxaLhqWPxAxa6yR-fNczgKuQQmTRzcvGfxYFQkj8EbYZmg-9vgc6Sm1jwk9zvLReYYrhEdTuwtGNYKHRwlC5j0RLKVYi7tPs3e1UowsrArkzxvb84dn/s1600/Circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k1SQh1oXpxzpiuy66tUIG_vNHjxaLhqWPxAxa6yR-fNczgKuQQmTRzcvGfxYFQkj8EbYZmg-9vgc6Sm1jwk9zvLReYYrhEdTuwtGNYKHRwlC5j0RLKVYi7tPs3e1UowsrArkzxvb84dn/s640/Circle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> We had more than 20 people present, even before the E-3 Academy stopped by in their ongoing research into food insecurity!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were very pleased that more than 30
people! attended our April 15 meeting to further the discussion of
food insecurity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first monthly meeting since last
fall, we followed up the April 8 Northern Berkshire Community
Coalition forum on food insecurity with a talk of our own on the
subject, including recent trends in the number of participants,
better coordination and cooperation among food programs, the response
to the closing of Price Chopper, the Massachusetts Food Trust and
more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had representatives present from the
Berkshire Food Project, the food pantry at St. Patrick's in
Williamstown, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, the Berkshire Dream
Center, the Letter Carriers Union, New Hope United Methodist Church,
Williams College, the Family Center of Child Care of the Berkshires,
Adult Basic Ed and several volunteers and board members of the
Friendship Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were joined about the half-hour mark
by students and teachers of the E-3 alternative education program of
the North Adams Public Schools. They are studying food insecurity and
have come up with a cookbook using foods frequently available at the
Friendship Center. We have mentioned these cookbooks here before but
have not had many to give out; we hope to remedy this soon with the
help of the program and offer them to our pantry members in the near
future.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47GGhdXgTS-_GLMjEO-_2iIabP4rqdM0xcXnrp24L9iIAMGzJNvStXlvdnCfSOlBcwCqFEGCFg3YM_oCAbnqtHMpWatGMAhfxbcAhHDZNRL8pizG3sOgdWKHf8hYAgB7mBmXBDza5VEly/s1600/BIOPHOTO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47GGhdXgTS-_GLMjEO-_2iIabP4rqdM0xcXnrp24L9iIAMGzJNvStXlvdnCfSOlBcwCqFEGCFg3YM_oCAbnqtHMpWatGMAhfxbcAhHDZNRL8pizG3sOgdWKHf8hYAgB7mBmXBDza5VEly/s640/BIOPHOTO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Swiped this photo from the Berkshire Interfaith Organizing Facebook page, taken by BIO's associate organizer Jeff Lowenstein.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As usual, we will need plenty of
volunteers on Saturday, May 14, to help gather, sort and weigh the
food collected in the annual letter carriers food drive. The letter
carriers of the North Adams Post Office collect it for the city,
Clarksburg and Florida. The Friendship Center leads in the sorting
process and we share the results with other programs. If you can
help, call the Friendship Center at 413-664-0123 and leave a message.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we are getting back into the
swing with meetings, we have scheduled another one for May. Our next
public meeting will be on Friday, May 20, when Celeste Roeller Harp
will make a presentation about the new Age Friendly Berkshires
program. Our meetings are held at the First Baptist Church of North
Adams, Eagle Street Room, beginning at 10 a.m. All are welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Two more photos from Friday's great meeting: </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz5TPm0WTkvKFdGQGE8Ge6g1Odyu97uW_0WWL7hcrTZQ6AL4nBJBvjMuJy-H8pd2m22i3WYs2PArDLuxgGuqeyno_MmARjU5WrNawEliObNz3GZ4-ce8ldmzhNWVvS8minzO_R0YHNaWU/s1600/AlRosie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz5TPm0WTkvKFdGQGE8Ge6g1Odyu97uW_0WWL7hcrTZQ6AL4nBJBvjMuJy-H8pd2m22i3WYs2PArDLuxgGuqeyno_MmARjU5WrNawEliObNz3GZ4-ce8ldmzhNWVvS8minzO_R0YHNaWU/s640/AlRosie.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-26187970147556699642016-04-10T20:35:00.000-07:002016-04-11T17:08:25.099-07:00Interfaith meeting continues food discussion on April 15<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYpRyb6xf09TcKBh11kAtbWFb3GqsUA003TAwEKOpP2d-BRs3-BLLwag-Z2bT4Gca6P3_NiZyqQ-YMmLRlsozB_yO1xPNzAWWR9FR_r0H3lMWxl9HPsqJJjUhegHE35NvF81yvX6inZ1R/s1600/FLYER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYpRyb6xf09TcKBh11kAtbWFb3GqsUA003TAwEKOpP2d-BRs3-BLLwag-Z2bT4Gca6P3_NiZyqQ-YMmLRlsozB_yO1xPNzAWWR9FR_r0H3lMWxl9HPsqJJjUhegHE35NvF81yvX6inZ1R/s640/FLYER.jpg" width="507" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a hiatus of several months, the
Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative will hold a public meeting on
Friday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of North Adams Eagle Street
Room.<br />
<br />
We will continue the discussion of food insecurity, the topic of the April 8,
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Forum. Topics on April 15 likely will
include recent trends we've seen at the Friendship Center Food Pantry, the
upcoming Letter Carrier Food Drive on Saturday, May 14, better coordination of
the work of area food programs, the efforts in which we're involved to return
affordable food sales in some form to the former Price Chopper store on State Road in
North Adams, the Massachusetts Food Trust, and possible innovations in
distributing food from the Friendship Center.<br />
<br />
All are welcome to attend. Our meeting begin with a time of silent prayer and
optional faith sharing. For more information, call Mark at </span></span><a href="tel:413-664-0130"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">413-664-0130</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><i>At the Coalition forum, volunteers held signs showing the different levels of food insecurity. Below, Abby Getman of the Food Bank showed 2010 census results about North Adams. The more red the area, the more poverty. Northeastern North Adams was one of the most red areas.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This food insecurity discussion will be even more interesting after what
happened at the Coalition forum on Friday. Having examined 2010 U.S. Census
data, the four representatives of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
present said there is a significant number of unserved people in North Adams.
They are looking to get more food into the city.<br />
<br />
For me, this raises a number of questions, and I hope we can discuss this at
our April 15 meeting. Without going into much detail here, I will note that the
number of households the Friendship Center Food Pantry serves each week peaked
in 2014 into early 2015, then leveled off. In 2016, the number of households
served per week has slipped to a notable extent.<br />
<br />
For our April Board of Directors meeting, I went through our records and
compiled this interesting statistic: Average number of household visits for the
first 14 weeks of the year: 2012: 114. 2013: 143. 2014: 140. 2015: 151. 2016:
139.<br />
<br />
Why this decline? An improving economy? People moving out of the area? We
really don’t know. This said, I am sure we are missing some people,
particularly shut-ins. This is why in March we have formed a sub-committee of
the Board of Directors to examine how we can better help the homeless and the
question of home deliveries for shut-ins.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i>The number of households served at the Friendship Center Food Pantry rose constantly from its opening in February, 2011, reaching a peak in 2014 (green line) and early 2015 (orange line). Since then, numbers have leveled off and dropped even more in the first few months of 2016.</i>
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Research is needed. Is the 2010 census adequate to 2016? Does the city, which
does a census by mail every year, have better numbers, at least for population?
Do we need to be open another day of the week? Can the Food Bank’s mobile food
pantry help?<br />
<br />
Is the stigma against receiving help overly operative in the city? How can we —
and other groups, such as the Berkshire Food Project and the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dream Center — get more food to people?<br />
<br />
Please come to our discussion on Friday and help us figure this out. And, of
course, there are other related topics on the agenda, such as the May 14 letter
carrier food drive, the effort to get affordable and healthy food sales back to Price Chopper and better cooperation between area food programs.<br />
<br />
Thanks and God Bless,<br />
<br />
Mark</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-9150883208093409952016-02-25T12:27:00.003-08:002016-02-25T12:27:40.292-08:00Residents, groups seek meeting with Price Chopper Leadership
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Immediate Release<br /><br />NORTH
ADAMS, Mass. >> Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) is
calling on Price Chopper Board Chairman Neil Golub to meet with
representatives of the Brayton Hill development, BIO and other groups
to discuss food sales at the site of a Price Chopper store that will
close on Feb. 27.<br /><br />The Schenectady, N,Y.-based Golub
Corporation announced earlier this month that the store at 245 State
Road, which has been open since 1959 and employed 57 people would
close. The store is within walking distance of two low-income
neighborhoods, Brayton Hill and the Greylock Valley housing project
in North Adams.<br /><br />Transportation to the other supermarkets in
the city is problematic for residents without personal
transportation. Indeed, walking downtown or to Stop & Shop in the
West End during the winter can be dangerous.<br /><br />Price Chopper at
one time had two stores in North Adams, with one in the former North
Adams Plaza on the Curran Highway. Price Chopper currently has stores
in Pittsfield, Lenox and Lee in Berkshire County.<br /><br />The focus of
the meeting, organizers said, is to ensure continuing food sales in
some form at the site.<br /><br />Other groups involved with organizing
the meeting include the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action
Initiative, which runs the Friendship Center Food Pantry, the largest
food pantry in North Adams. Leaders of that group are concerned that
the area around the closing store will now become a “food desert”
for those of limited means and transportation without continuing food
sales at the Price Chopper site.<br /><br />Berkshire Interfaith
Organizing is part of a New England organizing network, with five
other similar groups, called the InterValley Project. BIO consists of
16 congregations and groups throughout Berkshire County, including
several in Pittsfield and south county.<br /><br />“We are
communicating with and working with local residents and consumers
most directly affected by this closing,” said Rev. Mark Longhurst,
pastor of First Congregational Church, Williamstown, and member of
the BIO Executive Board. “We applaud the outplacement and other
services Price Chopper is providing for its employees. However, we
are concerned about continuing access to affordable and healthy food
at this site after Price Chopper leaves.”<br /><br />On its corporate
website, the company states, “Price Chopper has an 80-year history
of doing what is right in the communities we serve.”<br /><br />Said
Longhurst, “We would like more information about plans for the
site. We are concerned about the impact this closing will have on the
people in this part of North Adams. We are seeking a direct and
meaningful discussion with Mr. Golub about the future of the site,
particularly as it relates to food access.”<br /><br />BIO is governed
by an executive council made up of representatives from its 16 member
congregations and groups in Berkshire County; it employs two
community organizers and a communications specialist. Since November
it has been headquartered at Shire City Sanctuary at 40 Melville St.
in Pittsfield.<br /><br />According to a press release on the Price
Chopper website, Scott Grimmett became CEO of the Golub Corporation
in January 2016. He reports to the board of directors through Neil
Golub, who remains executive chairman.
</span></div>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-58663089117547308252016-01-27T18:55:00.002-08:002016-01-28T17:39:48.803-08:00A Very Busy Wednesday, 5th Anniversary, Micah Awards Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> This photo was taken earlier today at the Friendship Center Food Pantry around 1 p.m. after the big rush earlier had slowed down somewhat.</i></span><b><br /></b></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b>A Busy Day at the Friendship Center </b>
</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Wednesday, Jan. 27, was a very
busy day at the Friendship Center Food Pantry. In the 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. session we served 135 households and in the 4 to 6 p.m. session
we served 60 households for a total of 195 for the day, our largest
total by far this year. We added 4 new households and at least one
new volunteer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our volunteers rose to the occasion,
whether at the Eagle Street Room, at the food pantry or with the
rides program. I asked and by about 1 p.m. we had given 21 rides!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all of our great volunteers.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b>Friendship Center Food Pantry Will
turn 5 years old</b></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Northern Berkshire Interfaith
Action Initiative (NBIAI) will observe its fifth anniversary in February.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s been an eventful five years
since a bunch of food distribution novices – working with the
advice of some real experts – served 27 households from our
original space at 43 Eagle St. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. The
following Wednesday, March 2, we served only 14 households, our
all-time low. But numbers quickly picked up to the point that we have
served more than 200 families on a Wednesday</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">several times.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along the way, we have developed
into a true Friendship Center, with access to numerous services
available at our member intake point in the Eagle Street Room of the
First Baptist Church of North Adams.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A formal observance of the food
pantry's fifth anniversary has not been finalized yet. Please stay
tuned for more information about this in the future. Meanwhile, there
will be no third-Friday interfaith meeting in February.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But more than numbers, it has
really been about the people. The many friends we’ve made, and
those we’ve said goodbye to, also – both pantry members and
volunteers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The NBIAI is a group of people of
different faiths and denominations working together with others of
good will to serve our community. For more information about the
NBIAI, call Mark at 413-664-0130 or email
<a href="mailto:northernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com">northernberkshireinterfaith@gmail.com</a>.
To contact the Friendship Center, call <a href="tel:413-664-0123">413-664-0123</a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kathy Hrach accepts Micah Award</b></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></h2>
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<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Kathy Hrach, right, accepts her award from BIO 2nd Vice President Moira Jones.</i></span></span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The NBIAI is a member of Berkshire
Interfaith Organizing. BIO held its first annual Micah Awards Dinner
on Sunday, Jan. 24.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">BIO is working on food security and
transportation issues. Each member group got to choose an honoree.
Ours was Kathy Hrach. Kathy, a senior at Williams College, was our
first ever intern over the summer. She helped set up and coordinate
our volunteer rides home program and gave many rides for it. She also
did several one on one conversations with our pantry members and was
a go-between for us with BIO. Even as a very busy college student
Kathy is still coordinating our rides program.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a press release I wrote
about the event, helpfully edited by Wendy Krom, BIO lead organizer
and a friend:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b>Berkshire Interfaith Organizing
honors unsung heroes</b></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PITTSFIELD -- Almost to the day
that they held their Founding Convention a year before in the very
same place, the faith-based activists of Berkshire Interfaith
Organizing stopped to celebrate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The 2016 Micah Awards Dinner,
held at the former St. Mark’s School on Columbus Avenue on Sunday,
Jan. 24, was yet another first for the group. Berkshire Interfaith
0rganizing is an interfaith group of clergy, congregations and
regional affiliates who seek to make justice real in our communities.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Currently BIO’s focus is on
issues of food security and transportation, with regular team
meetings to set goals, discuss strategy and take action. The
group played a part in its first year in securing $2 million more in
funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Program, which provides
goods for food programs throughout the state.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Building community and developing
priorities through-one-to-one conversations, BIO concentrates on
relationship building and leadership development, as well as systemic
community change.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nearly 300 people packed the auditorium
at St. Mark’s to pay tribute to nominees chosen from among the
members of 12 of its 16 member groups. Including a college student, a
college professor, retirees, two nuns and more, all the nominees
have made their mark through active service. They were chosen because
they help exemplify the verse from the book of Micah from which the
dinner gets its name: “The Lord has told us what is good. What he
requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love,
and to live in humble fellowship with our God.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The groups and their nominees:
Cathedral in the Night, Pittsfield: its volunteers; Congregation Beth
Israel, North Adams, Ed Oshinsky; Congregation Knesset Israel,
Pittsfield: Cindy Tatalovich; First Church of Christ, Pittsfield:
Grace Hutchins, posthumous award; First Congregational Church,
Dalton: Leslie Hazelton; First Congregational Church, Williamstown:
Carolyn Behr; Lee Congregational Church, Lee: Judy Morehouse;
Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative: Kathy Hrach;
Sisters of St. Joseph: Sr. Kathryn Flanagan and Sr. Barbara Faille;
South Congregational Church, Pittsfield: Mary Wheat; St. Mark
Catholic Church, Pittsfield: Dick Murphy; St. John’s Episcopal
Church, Williamstown: Jim Mahon; St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church,
Pittsfield: Joan Evans.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Given that food security plays such
a strong role both in BIO’s activism and in the extensive
volunteerism of so many of the Micah Award nominees, it seemed
appropriate that its members and guests gathered together for a meal,
prepared by chef Robin Lenz, of St. John’s Episcopal Church,
herself an active volunteer. Donations of food and supplies were made
by BJ’s Wholesale, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace and Mazzeo’s
Meats.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before, during and after the awards
program, members from the various congregations freely mingled,
exchanging hugs, handshakes and stories. Though in different
congregations or groups, many attendees have known each other for
years and over time have volunteered for the same programs or
attended community workshops together. And in a year plus of BIO,
these bonds have only grown, through meetings and numerous
activities, such as in numerous community organizing trainings or
a</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">trip to Boston and the Statehouse that two vanloads of BIO
activists took in September.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Berkshire Interfaith Organizing is
part of a New England organizing network, with five other similar
groups, called the InterValley Project, “Organizing for Justice in
New England and the Nation.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BIO is governed by an executive
council made up of representatives from its member congregations and
groups; it employs two community organizers and a communications
specialist. Since November it has been headquartered at Shire City
Sanctuary at 40 Melville St. in Pittsfield.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For more information about BIO,
call Wendy Krom, Lead Organizer, at <a href="tel:413-464-1804" target="_blank">413-464-1804</a>,
or email: <a href="mailto:berkshire.organizing@gmail.com" target="_blank">berkshire.organizing@gmail.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Her are the 2016 Micah award recipients. Sitting to Kathy's right is Ed Oshinsky, who has volunteered with us as a truck driver in the past; to her left is Jim Mahon, who is board president of the Berkshire Food Project. In the back row, third from left is Carolyn Behr of Williamstown who helped us greatly with two clothing sales and whose husband, Bob, volunteers at the Friendship Center.</i> </span></div>
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-13604799674401644772015-12-28T17:09:00.004-08:002016-01-04T17:15:28.442-08:00A tribute to Stan Owczarski – A Strong and Generous Man<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTYmsphKQ8dg_AW62NnQ6KL6Cs-hGNm6e6FfSQQEey29qIx-b5KN6mKABMchKqj_RvnOUiGoopUgOLUCO803-r7e88TbbUCD05E2KXLWl7O46kzUbCG7mbDYhzrECCatj0uShtjNkmr6S/s1600/StanDriveScale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTYmsphKQ8dg_AW62NnQ6KL6Cs-hGNm6e6FfSQQEey29qIx-b5KN6mKABMchKqj_RvnOUiGoopUgOLUCO803-r7e88TbbUCD05E2KXLWl7O46kzUbCG7mbDYhzrECCatj0uShtjNkmr6S/s640/StanDriveScale.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stan lifts a bucket of donated food collected during a recent annual Letter Carriers Food Drive. Taking his photo is Joan Bates, North Adams postmaster.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of you likely have
heard by now the very sad news of the untimely and unexpected passing on Saturday of Stan Owczarski, food pantry volunteer, NBIAI Board member, good
friend.<br /><br />Stan was a strong, noble, humorous and compassionate
man.<br /><br />He showed up to volunteer at the Friendship Center one
day during the first year of the food pantry in 2011 and gradually
took on increasing responsibilities. He became our second volunteer
coordinator two years ago and joined our board of directors and
finance committee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stan and his wife, Joan,
also introduced, developed and produced the name tag lanyards our
volunteers wear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stan doing the grilling at the 2015 Friendship Center volunteer picnic he held at his home.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As volunteer coordinator Stan did many
important things. For the last two years he and his wife, Joan,
hosted our annual volunteer cookout at his home in North Adams. Stan
for the past two years also coordinated concession volunteers from
the Friendship Center at several SteepleCats baseball games to raise
funds. <br /><br />In recent years, Stan became the captain for the front
of the Friendship Center during the daytime session on Wednesdays. As
such, he kept the flow of pantry visitors going, oversaw cab and
volunteer rides, and generally insured safety and a positive,
friendly atmosphere. I always knew things were in good hands.<br /><br />Safety
was important to Stan, a longtime member of the Ski Patrol and he
made sure we have a good stock of emergency medical supplies on site.
Early on, at the invitation of our first volunteer coordinator,
Denise Krutiak, Stan gave the volunteers a useful instructional
workshop on safety.<br /><br />Stan had a great rapport with our food
pantry guests, and they will miss him as much as we will. To help
make the Friendship Center a welcoming place, he worked with Louise
Zocchi to regularly update our front display window area to reflect
the seasons with well-done decorating.<br /><br />Part of my personal
shock on hearing the news was that Stan was such a vigorous man. The
term “force of nature” comes to mind. He was an outdoorsman, a bicyclist and a skier, as noted above. It
may have been during the summer about a year ago, I was driving south
down Route 8 in Vermont in the virtually uninhabited area of south
Readsboro and north Stamford. All of sudden, there’s Stan on his
bicycle, miles from North Adams. I knew he’d have no trouble
getting home, so I didn’t stop!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stan in his Yankee hat with our friend Keith the mailman.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><br />One thing about Stan that
kept things interesting was that he was a very passionate New York
Yankee fan among mostly Red Sox fans. This insured a continuing
running battle of quips and insults over the merits of the rival
baseball teams — all in good fun, of course!<br /><br />I was planning
to write a post this week about happy things such as our last public
meeting, new board members, big donations and the Friendship Center’s
upcoming fifth anniversary. And I still wish I was, because it would
mean that this good man would still be among us.<br /><br />I met Stan, a
fellow Roman Catholic, about 10 years ago, when St. Elizabeth of
Hungary Church was trying to restart its St. Vincent de Paul Society
local conference. I didn’t know him very well and neither of us
became longtime members of that group. But Stan became one of many
people I have come to know and love through the six years of the
NBIAI and the Friendship Center Food Pantry.<br /><br />Not that he and I
always saw completely eye to eye, but we always worked things out,
quickly and without rancor. Stan's generosity helped a lot. He saw I
carried around important NBIAI/food pantry papers in a crummy old,
ripped satchel, so he found me a nice new one. He thought I could use
a laptop for NBIAI/Friendship Center business and found me one that
has worked out very well.<br /><br />So, sometimes goodbyes seem to take
forever; other times you don’t get to say goodbye at all. This was
one of the latter. But I – and many others, I am sure – are
grateful for having to gotten to know Stan, and I thank God for
that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our deepest condolences to Joan, their children and grandchildren and the rest of Stan's family and many friends.<br /><br />Goodbye, Stan. Thanks for everything. Hope to see you on
the other side. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Stan takes a break with Steve Green during a recent Letter Carrier Food Drive. Below, Stan and Anne Nelson at the front desk at our original location at 43 Eagle St. in North Adams.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Above</span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"> is a photo of Stan, me and fellow
NBIAI/Friendship Center board member and volunteer Corinne Case at a
health fair that was organized at St. Elizabeth Parish by Denise Vigna.
Stan went around to every table, talking to people and collecting pens, information and other
goodies. Judy Bombardier took this photo for us with my phone.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Here, Stan, in red jacket, standing sideways to the camera, is ready to help unload the truck with food one Tuesday. What makes this photo especially moving is that the man with his back to the camera in black jacket is Henry Bounds, another of our great-hearted volunteers, who also passed away suddenly. We also fondly remember Rose Maynard and Jim May. </span></i><br />
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-30847955538543939872015-12-15T18:54:00.002-08:002015-12-15T18:59:40.413-08:00E3 Students Design Cookbook for Friendship Center Food Pantry Members<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The cover of the cookbook. Below, Mayor Dick Alcombright at left talks with the E3 students on Tuesday. (Thanks to Bert Lamb with help on photography during the press conference).</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE
STUDENTS OF THE E3 ACADEMY PRESENT </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>E3
COOKS</b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>, A COOKBOOK THEY CREATED, TO THE
FRIENDSHIP CENTER</b></span></h2>
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(Press Release from the E3 program)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">NORTH ADAMS -- On Tuesday,
December 15, the E3 Academy of Drury High School will present its
latest creation to the Friendship Center: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>E3
COOKS</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">, a cookbook for users of
the Friendship Center food pantry. The cookbook features 27 recipes
the students identified as healthy and that make use of ingredients
available through the food pantry. They then tested all the recipes,
using the kitchen at the UNO Community Center. </span>
</div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">The cookbook
is the culmination of months of hard work as the students studied the
food system in general and food insecurity in particular. Beginning
with field trips to local farms and the Friendship Center…to
working at the Berkshire Food Project…to hearing from speakers from
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Growing Healthy
Gardens Project…to researching and producing presentations of
various aspects of the food system, the students have come to
understand the food system and the impact of food insecurity on their
neighbors as well as others throughout the world. With generous
support from the UNO Center, which allowed us to use its kitchen, the
students prepared and taste-tested recipes that made use of many of
the foods available at the Friendship Center and incorporated as many
vegetables as possible. </span>
</div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">In the course
of the project, the students practiced a variety of academic skills,
including research, expository and persuasive writing, presentation
and public speaking, fractions, measuring and scaling, calculating
nutritional values and word problems, as well as life skills,
including collaboration, decision making, consideration for others,
making a positive contribution to their community, using positive
communication skills, and conflict resolution. “And how to ruin a
pan!” says Senior Charles Talis</span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">The Cooking
for (Real) Life project was funded by a North Adams Public Schools
Service-Learning Mini-Grant.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>WHAT</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">:
Presentation of the E3 Cookbook to the Friendship Center</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>WHEN</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">:
Tuesday, December 15, 11:00 a.m.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><b>WHERE</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">:
The Friendship Center Food Pantry, 45 Eagle Street </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>About E3
Academy</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">The E3
Academy, which stands for Effort, Employability and Essential skills
and knowledge, is a competency-based program of Drury High School.
The program features a non-traditional classroom setup for students
at risk of leaving school. For more information about the E3 Academy,
please call 413-662-3275 or email <a href="mailto:areifsnyder@napsk12.org">areifsnyder@napsk12.org</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>About the
Friendship Center </b></span>
</div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">The
Friendship Center Food Pantry is a program of the Northern Berkshire
Interfaith Action Initiative Inc. Located at 45 Eagle St., in North
Adams. the Friendship Center serves families in need in<br />North
Adams, Clarksburg and Florida and is open every</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Wednesday</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">from
</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">10 a.m.
to 2 p.m.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">and</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">4
to 6 p.m.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">In
November it served an average of 172 households per week. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Open
since 2011, the program has evolved into a true “Friendship
Center.” A few years ago, to avoid long lines outside of the food
pantry in all kinds of weather, the organization started using the
Eagle Street room at the First Baptist Church of North Adams for a
sign-in and waiting area. After their turn to sign in, pantry members
proceed down the street to pick up their food at 45 Eagle St. This
process provides the opportunity to bring in more services for them,
including a nurse and representatives of numerous local social
services organizations. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">For
more information about the Friendship Center, call 413-664-0123 or
email northernberkshireinterfaith.com.. </span></span>
</div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-35421581056318552192015-09-19T18:22:00.002-07:002015-09-21T10:59:59.172-07:00On the Road to Boston with BIO<h2>
</h2>
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<h2>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 107%;"><i></i></span><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 107%;"><i> The State House in Boston</i></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Learning,
empowerment and prayer<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contents: Why we went; A rich
experience; First food victory; Food and Jobs: Mass. Food Trust; The opening of
the photo exhibit; Poverty in Massachusetts; Circle of prayer<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On
Wednesday, Sept. 15, two vans filled with Berkshire County people travelled to
Boston under the aegis of <a href="http://www.berkshireinterfaithorganizing.org/" target="_blank">Berkshire Interfaith Organizing</a> (BIO).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first purpose
was to attend an opening for “Take Another Look: A Photographic Essay on Food
Insecurity” by Nicholas DeCandia, a Berkshire County photographer. It is now on
display in Doric Hall at the State House in Boston, where we saw it. All tours
of the State House begin and end in this hall, we were told.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This exhibit
of 30-photos shows the volunteers and guests of the meals program and food
pantry of South Congregational Church in Pittsfield. “For people in Boston to
see that we have hunger in the Berkshires will help them see it’s everywhere,”
Rev. Joel Huntington, pastor of South Congregational and a BIO leader, told the
<a href="http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_28805693/statehouse-photo-exhibit-depict-food-insecurity-berkshires" target="_blank">Berkshire Eagle</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As BIO lead
organizer Wendy Krom said as she helped drive us down to Boston, paraphrased:
We need to show folks down there that the Berkshires is more than just
Tanglewood and second-home owners.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Northern
Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative (NBIAI) joined BIO in July, becoming its
first organizational, non-congregational member. So on one of those vans were
five people who in one way or another have been connected with NBIAI’s
Friendship Center Food Pantry as volunteers. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The others
were from Adams and points south in Berkshire County. Many were clergy and lay
leaders of BIO. Others, like me, were delegates to BIO and participants in its
food insecurity task force.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<i>We walk down Beacon Street to the Congregational Building, where the MPHA offices are located.</i><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
A rich
experience<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition
to attending the opening at the State House, the trip had other purposes. One
unspoken purpose was to familiarize us with the Massachusetts Legislature and
more in our state capital.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am a
native of Massachusetts and was editor of a weekly newspaper in Northern Berkshire
for nine years and had never visited the <a href="https://malegislature.gov/" target="_blank">State House</a> until this week. It was
not part of my education up to 10<sup>th</sup> grade in North Adams public
schools (my family moved out of state when I was 15).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rep. William
“Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, gave us a heartfelt tour of the House Chamber. He
mentioned how happy he was to see people from Berkshire County, as lots of us
don’t make our way down there. He noted how Berkshire schools don’t take trips
to Boston, unlike public schools a lot closer to Boston, because it’s a
whole-day thing for us and expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We need to
become a lot more familiar with the State House. There will no doubt be more of
these trips, and I hope more of the NBIAI/Friendship Center team will
experience it. Even an old boy like me found the visit enlightening, inspiring
and empowering.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
First food
victory </h3>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
reason we went to Boston was to offer thanks for the $2 million increase in
funding in the budget for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Program (MEFAP). The
two legislators we interacted with were Pignatelli and State Sen. Ben Downing,
D-Pittsfield, who spoke at the opening and gave us a tour of the Senate
chambers. (We had group photos taken in both legislative chambers).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Food and
Jobs: Mass. Food Trust</h3>
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</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Andrea Freeman, field director, and Rebekah Gewirtz, executive director, of the Massachusetts Public Health Association</i></span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
reason we went to Boston was to learn about and advocate for the Massachusetts
Food Trust program, which the state legislature created and Gov. Deval Patrick
signed into law in 2014 but which has not been funded. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Modeled on
similar initiatives in other states such as New York, Pennsylvania and
California, this program would provide loans, grants and technical assistance to
support new and expanded healthy food retailers and food enterprises in areas
that need them most. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did not
know this until recently, but Massachusetts is 47 of the 50 states in access to
grocery stores. Although North Adams has three grocery stores, we are still
part of an area of the state considered a “food desert.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Food
Trust is about more than just more and expanded grocery stores, however. It
might also provide funding farmer’s markets, mobile markets, community
kitchens, food truck commissaries, greenhouses, food distribution hubs and more,
projects that would create jobs in low or moderate income communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have the
opportunity here in Berkshire/Northern Berkshire, as I and others see it, for a
mobile food pantry, a centralized food hub capable of storing food, and
possibly even a new farm providing employment.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A chief
advocate for the Massachusetts Food Trust is the <a href="http://mapublichealth.org/" target="_blank">Massachusetts Public HealthAssociation</a> (MPHA), which served as home base for us during our visit. It is
located on the seventh floor of a building on Beacon Street within sight of the
State House. They were great hosts.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their goal
is to get $10 million in seed funding for the Mass. Food Trust. For the 2016
fiscal year, MPHA seeks $2.5 million in the state budget. They are also seeking
the release of the $2 million in bond funds dedicated to the Food Trust.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am hoping
that BIO will be conducting more trips to Boston for some hands-on lobbying. It
is an empowering experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
The opening
of the photo exhibit</h3>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> The Rev. Joel Huntington at the State House</o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev.
Joel Huntington was the first to speak “Take Another Look: A Photographic Essay
on Food Insecurity.” All the photos were taken at South Congregational Church,
south of Park Square on Route 7 in Pittsfield. They have a huge food operation,
serving about 450 families a week at the food pantry and another 60 to 80
people with meals once a week.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By comparison,
the Friendship Center Food Pantry serves between 150 and 200 families per week.
The Berkshire Food Project probably serves even more meals per week with its
program Mondays through Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Huntington
noted that while this is the largest food pantry in Pittsfield, it’s not the
only one. “There’s a lot of poverty” in that city of about 42,000, he said. “So
what do we make if it?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jesus once said, ‘The poor you will have with
you always, and people often just stop there. And say, ‘Okay, therefore,
there’s nothing we can do, nothing we need to do, it’s a form resignation or
even justification…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But Jesus
knew by heart the rest of the quote. He was quoting the book of Deuteronomy;
the Hebrew Bible was his Bible. The rest of the quote is: ‘The poor you will
have with you always, therefore open your hands to the poor, open your hearts
to the poor, open your eyes to the poor, not just for their sake but for your
own sake so that we can all be whole.” That’s what Jesus knew and that’s what
he wanted and that’s what we’re supposed to embody in our faith.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the
question of how do we do that, he told the story of Gretchen DeBartolo who
worked next door to the church for years and recently started volunteering for
its meals program. She found her involvement very rewarding and spoke to
DeCandia about doing a photo project. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_SwnbMOwfALi8iEsnk_l8R061tM-Y7RbHP59SjczZxTuSE0Fves5MxTS8MJbG6p2Pa-rMQfjnJSwJIf0K_pjhuRyGxIqrfDtE8c-9CSqG6wiOqjqpZEn0u1GrTdzM2qQpsctu2tkuIiy/s1600/Exhibit+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_SwnbMOwfALi8iEsnk_l8R061tM-Y7RbHP59SjczZxTuSE0Fves5MxTS8MJbG6p2Pa-rMQfjnJSwJIf0K_pjhuRyGxIqrfDtE8c-9CSqG6wiOqjqpZEn0u1GrTdzM2qQpsctu2tkuIiy/s400/Exhibit+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Sam Smith of Williamstown at "Take Another Look." Below, Lauryn Levesque and Gretchen DeBartolo at the exhibit.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paula Morey,
of Pittsfield, who is a member of the BIO food insecurity team and is a first
cousin of mine, spoke about the work of BIO, including the success in raising
MEFAP funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Our next
priority is to support funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust,” she said. “We
believe that if it’s funded appropriately, it will create opportunities for
good jobs, increase access to healthy food and revitalization of our communities.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Downing said
the exhibit was a way to educate other legislators of poverty and need in
Berkshire County. “Thank you for the work that you all are doing,” he said to
the Berkshire visitors, “the advocacy work that you are doing, the service work
that you all are doing. Thank you for the examples you provide in our
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s easy
to think that these problems are too big…but it’s important to remember that
the work of an individual has ripple effects far greater than anything that we
see,” he said. “I know that I am hopeful because of all the work that you all
do.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><i>Sen. Ben Downing shows us the Senate Chamber, which we learned is under the golden dome of the State House. Below, Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli shows us the Massachusetts House Chamber, while we sit at the wooden desks of representatives.</i> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Poverty in
Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">State
Auditor Suzanne Bump, who is from Great Barrington, also addressed us and made
a point I had not before considered. First, she spoke of the moral imperative
to serve the poor among us, and I found charming her story that she knew her
future husband was right for her because he was actively involved in serving
the poor when she met him.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“On a per
capita basis we have a larger income than most other states in the nation,”
Bump said. But digging down in the figures “you see that most of that wealth is
concentrated in just a couple of counties here in Massachusetts, and even
within those counties, Suffolk County, Middlesex County, there is food
insecurity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"But those
counties skew the figures for Massachusetts, because once we move off those
couple of counties, then you see that [the average of family] income in the
rest of Massachusetts is far below the statewide average, you’re also below the
national average in terms of family income.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On this
point, the photo exhibit included some charts and graphs. One of them was
titled “Families in Berkshire County need up to $86,000 to attain a secure yet
modest living.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even for one
parent and one child, the amount is $53,527. These figures for 2013 from the
Economy Policy Institute ring true to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Circle of
prayer<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We ended our
visit with lunches we brought sitting on Boston Common within view of the State
House. We each shared what we got from our visit. My main conclusion is that
while democracy may be endangered at the national level, it is still alive in
Massachusetts and the visit was very empowering. Another member of our group
illustrated with food on hand how little one can buy for a family on $25 of
SNAP (food stamp) benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We ended our
lunch holding hands in a circle, as Rev. Huntington led us in a prayer, no
doubt showing the other people in the Common that faith, too, is still alive in
Massachusetts. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<i> Our place on the Common before leaving Boston.<o:p></o:p></i>Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-74130882537035210012015-08-30T21:36:00.003-07:002015-08-30T21:36:20.140-07:00Photos from Friendship Center Food Pantry Annual PicnicOn Thursday, August 27, the Friendship Center Food Pantry held its second annual potluck picnic for volunteers at Joan and Stan Owczarski's house. Thanks to Fran Berasi and Morgan Kierstead for these excellent photos of the event.<br />
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<em>Kevin Tyree, super volunteer and always ready for a good time. A true friend and joy to be around.</em><br />
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<em>Maryam Kamagar of Goodwill and her son and the back of Al Nelson, among others.</em><br />
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<em>Al Nelson does not want his photo taken.</em></div>
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<em>Some of our past and present Florida Mountain contingent. Sheila Bounds, Marilyn Brown and Sharon May, who now lives in North Adams.</em></div>
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<em>Another couple of group shots.</em></div>
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<em>Some more of our folks from Florida Mountain.</em></div>
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<em>Catherine and Bob Dubriel get something to eat.</em></div>
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<em>Our host Stan did the cooking</em>.</div>
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<em>A few more nice group shots.</em></div>
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Thanks again to Stan and Joan, as well as Fran and Morgan for the photos. There will be lots more news and blog posts coming in the next few weeks, As we have a busy fall ahead on many fronts. Once we get through these dog days!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>God Bless,</strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark</span></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-36056487646473121262015-07-20T20:16:00.001-07:002015-07-20T20:39:53.625-07:00Keeping Very Busy in the Summertime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Because of Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of North Adams, sign-ins for the food pantry this Wednesday, July 22, will be held at 43 Eagle St. Hours will remain the same.</i></span><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Sign-ins at 43 Eagle Street one week only</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First, due to our hosts at the First Baptist Church of North Adams holding vacation Bible school this week, food pantry sign-ins will take place this Wednesday, July 22, at our old site of 43 Eagle St.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The pantry itself, of course, will be next door in our new space at 45 Eagle Street. We thank our landlords for allowing us to use 43 Eagle St. on this occasion. Pantry hours remain the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meeting with BIO and CLIA</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here's a picture from the meeting at Williams College last Friday, closest to the camera are NBIAI board members Corinne Case, Dave Wesley and Al Nelson.</span></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span> </h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Friday, July 17. four members of the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative met with representatives of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing and the Williams College Center for Learning in Action at the new Sawyer Library at the college.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kathy Hrach, a rising Williams senior who is an intern with several groups this summer, including the NBIAI and the Friendship Center Food Pantry, set up this informal discussion, which lasted over an hour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One result of this meeting will be more contact, and hopefully collaboration, between CLIA and NBIAI. As for BIO, the NBIAI voted at its last board meeting, on July 13, to become its first non-congregational member of this county-wide activist organization. More on this in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the Williams College website, a description of the Center for Learning in Action:<i> "</i>The Center for Learning in Action strives
to cultivate and sustain experiential learning opportunities,
curricular and non-curricular, in service of the teaching goals of
our faculty, the civic aspirations of our students and the needs of
the wider community."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And from its Facebook page, here is a description of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing: "BIO is a community
organization of faith- and values-based institutions across Berkshire
County, MA, acting together powerfully for justice."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Above, Al Nelson, Kathy Hrach, Rev. Mark Longhurst of First Congregational Williamstown and BIO, one of the CLIA students from Williams. Below, another photo from the meeting.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> New Treasurer: Dave Wesley</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are pleased to announce that David Welsey of Cheshire has become our new treasurer and board member. He has extensive professional and volunteer experience in accounting and financial oversight. He came to my/our attention as a frequent volunteer for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts signing people up for SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits at the Eagle Street Room. He cares deeply about helping our friends in need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friendship Center Food Pantry Fundraising Drive</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of our very busy summer is conducting our annual letter fund-raising campaign to support the Friendship Center Food Pantry. In 2014, the pantry served 1,191 individual households with a total of<b> </b>3,381 individuals served, and we distributed 280,000 pounds of food. These numbers are about 9 percent higher than 2013.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the average weekly number of pantry visitors has leveled off so far in 2015 after growing for four years, need remains great. A survey earlier this year we took in collaboration with Mass in Motion of 233 food pantry members, some 28 percent of those responding said they did not have enough access to food in any given month; additionally, another 9 percent said they had access to much less food than adequate, even when supplemented by the food we give them.<b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some reading this will be receiving donation requests by the U.S. Mail. Those who are not may give by making a check out to the Friendship Center Food Pantry and mailing it to: The Friendship Center Food Pantry, 45 Eagle St., North Adams, MA 01247. All monetary donations are tax deductible. Phone: 413-664-0123. We are happy to give tours to those are interested in what we do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friendship Center needs drivers, helpers</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Loading a rental truck with food for the Friendship Center at the depot in Pittsfield, taken one very cold winter day a couple of years ago. </i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We need more drivers to commit to help on Tuesday so we can set up a regular schedule. If we can’t pick up the food in Pittsfield, we can’t give it out. Here’s our announcement about that:</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Friendship Center Food Pantry, 45 Eagle St. in North Adams, needs a driver one or more Tuesdays a month to bring our food back from a depot in Pittsfield in a rented truck. Person should have a good driving record and be willing to commit to a regular schedule and be reasonably physically fit. Helpers will help driver pick up the food and should be physically fit and able to lift boxes and help move pallets around. Being able to operate a forklift is a plus for either volunteer position. If interested, please call Dan Bird at 413-458-9330 or email <a href="mailto:danbird.trims@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1155cc;">danbird.trims@gmail.com</span></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading this far and God Bless!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mark </span><br />
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Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286059227833276324.post-12205782927632507102015-06-17T18:30:00.000-07:002015-06-17T18:31:55.148-07:00Dr. Tom Hyde awarded Northern Berkshire Hero Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Tom Hyde at today's Coalition Annual Meeting.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At Wednesday's 29th Annual Meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Dr. Tom Hyde -- a weekly volunteer at the Friendship Center Food Pantry -- received the Northern Berkshire Hero Award.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A greatly respected Northern Berkshire pediatrician, Tom was recognized for his volunteer involvement with the Friendship Center Food Pantry, the Northern Berkshire RX/Heroin Work Group and with the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) for which he serves as president.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tom is a great guy and we are lucky to have him as a volunteer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The meeting was poignant because it was the last annual meeting for Executive Director Al Bashevkin, the only director the organization has ever had, who is retiring. In his remarks, Al highlighted three lessons . One of them was for organizations to help out fledgling organizations. This happened back when the Coalition was born when MCLA (then North Adams State College) provided space and support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, in the same way, Al noted did the Coalition help out us (NBIAI/Friendship Center Food Pantry) when we started out, including as acting as our fiscal agent for several years. Al directed some of his staff our way when we were initially swamped with guests at our food pantry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Al also gave us, specifically me, some great advice along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has huge shoes to fill and will be missed.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Tom Hyde and Al Bashevkin at today's event.</span></i></div>
Mark Rondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07151349450870600802noreply@blogger.com0