Market 32, Price Chopper Launch Fill a Glass with Hope Campaign

Print Story | Email Story

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.— Market 32 and Price Chopper have partnered with the American Dairy Association North East, Garelick Farms, and local food banks to launch their annual Fill a Glass with Hope/Fill a Plate with Promise campaign.

The initiative will run from May 1 to June 30. Customers are invited to round up their change at checkout to support local food banks in purchasing fresh milk and other nutritious food for families experiencing food insecurity.

The 2025 campaign marks a decade of this partnership, during which over one million servings of milk have been donated to local families in need.

Pam Cerrone, director of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper, stated that milk is a highly requested but infrequently donated item to food banks. She emphasized the campaign's role in providing essential nutrition to community members.

The campaign addresses the issue of food insecurity, which is particularly challenging during the summer months when children lose access to school meal programs.

Audrey Donahoe, board president of American Dairy Association North East and a dairy farmer at ATRASS Farm in Clayville, N.Y., highlighted the dairy industry's commitment to providing nutritious milk to families.

The campaign's current message encourages customers to contribute any amount to help reach the next million servings donated. By rounding up their change at checkout, shoppers can support their neighbors facing food insecurity.

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday. 

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection. 

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data.  Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost." 

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories