Planet Fitness Donates 800 Pounds of Food to Combat Hunger in Western Mass

12:52PM / Saturday, December 07, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — National Fitness Partners (NFP), a Planet Fitness franchise group operating 175 locations across 13 states, marked Giving Tuesday by donating 800 pounds of food to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank.

This contribution equates to approximately 800 meals for local families facing food insecurity.

The donation comes from six NFP locations in the region, supporting the Food Bank’s mission to end hunger through partnerships with farms, state and federal programs, and community organizations. In Western Massachusetts, food insecurity affects 12.1 percent of residents, including 17.3 percent of children, with Hampden, Berkshire, and Hampshire counties experiencing the greatest need, according to a press release.

NFP regularly partners with local organizations through volunteer work, food drives, and fundraisers to address critical needs in the community.

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North Adams UNO Art Club Extends Into Year-Round Community Program

Staff Reports01:38PM / Tuesday, October 06, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute is expanding the summer program UNO Drop-In Art Club into a weekly, 50-week program for local youth ages 8 to 19, thanks to a new two-year grant from the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the club reopens its doors at the UNO Community Center (157 River St., North Adams) with extended hours every week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The UNO Art Club first took root in 2022, founded by local volunteers and supported by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) as a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore their creativity. In 2024, nbCC sought new partners to keep the program running and joined forces with the Clark and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Over the past two summers, staff from all three organizations have guided kids through hands-on projects—from clay sculpture and origami to collage and self-portraiture—often inspired by ongoing exhibitions at the museums.

Now, with leadership from the Clark, this grant will allow the program to grow, not only with expanded hours and a year-round schedule, but also to support a paid intern to lead the weekly activities.

Additional benefits of the grant: The Clark will provide rides directly from the UNO Community Center so participants can attend major community events, including First Sundays Free and the annual Community Day. Youth will also take field trips to the Clark, MASS MoCA, and neighboring arts venues across the region.

To learn more about the program or get involved: https://nbccoalition.org/uno-drop-in-art-club/ or contact nbCC at (413) 663-7588, Gabby Glasier - gglasier@nbccoalition.org, or Olivia Brandwein - obrandwein@clarkart.edu.

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