Please Support this Food Drive

As one of our friends noted recently on Facebook, there are food receptacles in a number of North Adams businesses to accumulate food for our food pantry.

The publicity for this food drive, sponsored by the North Adams Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, states that it is for the Community Action Food Pantry. And in fact the Friendship Center Food Pantry is the continuation of the BCAC Food Pantry that closed. Indeed, two great people from BCAC are currently helping us each week learn the ropes and successfully run the pantry.

The food drive is running from Feb. 28 to March 11 to help stock the food pantry.

Non-perishable food will be accepted at the following businesses throughout North Adams: Price Chopper Supermarket, Big Y Supermarket, Stop & Shop Supermarket (though I did not see a receptacle there when I looked March 5th), Hoosac Bank, TD Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Bank, Legacy Bank, Landmark Credit Union, Village Pizza, Boston Seafood Restaurant, and the City Clerk’s office at North Adams City Hall.

Non-perishable food may also be dropped off at North Adams Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 175 Franklin St.

Radio show Monday

Maureen E. Goodreau, of at North Adams Commons (664-4041, ext. 243, or mgoodreau@bhs1.org) has generously invited me to appear with her on the Opinion program on WNAW at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 7. I in turn have invited Mark Lincourt, our food distribution coordinator to accompany me.

I hope we can explain what the Interfaith Initiative and Friendship Center are about and why as much food as possible is needed through this drive.

Items needed

In a related matter, Shirley McDonald, from BCAC, who is doing so much to help us every Wednesday, gave us a list of the most needed items for a food pantry.

Fruit juice, juice boxes, cold cereals, hot cereals, macaroni and cheese, baked beans or pork and beans, canned beef stew, canned pasta (Ravioli, etc), peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, rice, canned or instant potatos, Bisquick/pancake mix and syrup, coffee and tea, soups, tuna, canned meats, packaged food (such as Rice-a-Roni, Lipton’s, etc.), spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned vegetables, condiments (such as ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc), cake mix, brownie mix, puddings and powdered milk.

Also needed are such things as baby food and formula, disposable diapers, shampoo, tooth paste, paper goods and toilet paper.

God bless all of you,

Mark

(At top: The receptacle for the food drive at the BigY in North Adams. Photo taken Saturday, March 5).