Market 32, Price Chopper Announce Over $62K for Regional Food Banks

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper customers and teammates raised a total value of $62,959 for regional food banks across the company's six-state footprint during the annual Fill A Glass with Hope / Fill A Plate with Promise campaign, in partnership with American Dairy Association North East and Garelick Farms.
 
Earlier this summer, shoppers were invited to round up their change at checkout. With a $10,000 match from Market 32 and Price Chopper, the campaign generated critical funds to help regional food banks purchase milk and other nutritious food for families in need. Of the total raised, $48,459 was distributed across 11 food banks local to Market 32 and Price Chopper stores, while $14,500 funded 6,332 half-gallons of milk for children and families facing food insecurity. This adds to the total of more than 1 million servings of milk that have already been donated as part of the 11-year partnership with American Dairy Association North East
 
"These results show what's possible when the community comes together,” said Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations. “For many, even basic staples like milk and the foods that fuel active, healthy days are missing. So, by working alongside American Dairy Association North East and Garelick Farms, we're making sure more families have access to the nutrients they deserve.”
 
This year's fundraising announcement comes during Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire action to end hunger. The timing underscores the importance of community-driven programs like Fill a Glass with Hope / Fill a Plate with Promise, which help to close the nutrition gap and ensure families have access to nutritious foods.
 
Founded by the American Dairy Association North East, represents 9,000 dairy farm families across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and northern Virginia, Fill a Glass with Hope® ensures that every dollar raised stays local—delivering fresh milk and essential nutrition directly to neighbors in need.
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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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