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

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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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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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