Berkshire Bounty Fundraiser Responds to Community Need

11:10AM / Thursday, April 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Bounty, a 501(c)(3) food recovery organization, will conduct a crowdfunding campaign from April 22 through April 29 to raise funds to address growing community need regarding food insecurity.

"Like many nonprofits in our community, Berkshire Bounty has been affected by cuts and fluctuations in federal funding," said Morgan Ovitsky, Executive Director of Berkshire Bounty. "We're also closely watching potential cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]. If enacted, the most vulnerable Berkshire County residents will be heavily impacted."

"Spring Into Action" will raise $75,000 for Berkshire Bounty. The Crowdfunding Campaign is the public facing portion in which Berkshire Bounty reaches out to supporters and asks for help in reaching that goal.

The Greater Boston Food Bank report indicated that the food insecurity rate in Berkshire County was at 45 percent. Berkshire Bounty has data from partner emergency food sites about increased use, particularly among people who are "working poor" and the immigrant community. Reporting data collected quarterly in 2024 from emergency food sites show a 30 percent increase in people accessing food assistance over the year. Projections and trends indicate the increase in food insecurity will continue to climb.

"Food pantries are serving more people than ever and struggling to procure enough to satisfy the demand. Berkshire Bounty receives calls daily for more food," stated Mark Lefenfeld and Jay Weintraub, Board members and co-founders of Berkshire Bounty. "We are so grateful to our community for their support."

Spring Into Action is aided by the Donald C. McGraw and Black Rock Foundations, offering a $20,000 dollar-to-dollar match.

"Our foundation and family are proud to support Berkshire Bounty as they prepare to provide extra support to our neighbors in a time of need," said Robin McGraw, Director of the Foundations.

Donations to the Crowdfunding Campaign can be made online on this dedicated page. For more information, or to inquire about making an online or offline donation, please contact Sara Haimowitz, Berkshire Bounty Director of Development, at sara@berkshirebounty.org.

Tags: food insecurity,

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Units Available at Lee's New Eagle Mill Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:57PM / Tuesday, October 27, 2026

It's took more than a decade to bring the Eagle Lofts to fruition in the former Eagle mill.

LEE, Mass. — Hearthway wants community members to know there are three-bedroom units available at The Lofts at Eagle Mill with little to no waitlist.

The apartments at 73 West Center St. recently came online in the historic building on the banks of the Housatonic River after more than a decade of work. The first tenants began moving in last week.

Three-bedroom units are less than $2,000 per month for those who meet income requirements.

"These units are $1,855 a month with hot water included. To qualify, applicants must be under the 60 percent AMI income limit by household size and be able to afford the rent," the affordable housing provider wrote in a communication on Monday.

"Mobile vouchers are welcomed."

A ribbon was cut at the former paper mill over the summer for 56 one- to three-bedroom, mixed-income units in the heart of downtown.

According to a chart provided by Hearthway, 60 percent area median income is $55,320 per year for a one person household, $63,240 a year for a two-person household, $71,160 a year for a three-person household, and $79,020 a year for a four-person household.

Applications are available in English and Spanish. They can submitted via email to leasing@hearthway.org, drop off to the main office at 1 Fenn St in Pittsfield, fax to 413-403-2710, or USPS mail to P.O. Box 1180, Pittsfield, MA 01202-1180.