NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire EMS helped fill out the Veterans Pantry in City Hall after an agency-wide food drive.

 

Veterans Agent Kurtis Durocher was thankful for the much-needed replenishing.

 

"There is always a need, and that need is exponentially growing," he said, adding he estimates the donation equals between $1,000 to $1,500 of groceries and other supplies.

 

Angela Swistak, of the Transportation Division, helped organize the fundraising effort. She said she went to City Hall to update her dog licenses and saw a flyer on Durocher's door.    

 

"I came in to get my dog license, and I saw the note on the door looking for donations. So I stopped in and said, 'let's do this'," she said. 

 

Durocher said it was a perfect opportunity because that day he was reaching out to businesses and organizations to see if anyone wanted to run a fundraiser.

 

Swistak said donation receptacles were placed at the North Adams station, the Williamstown station, and the Council on Aging as well as other locations.

 

"It was good. Everyone kind of did their thing … we had spots here and there," she said. "We got a great little haul."

 

Swistak thanked Casey Albert of downtown thrift shop Brewsters for donating her time and designing flyers for the cause. 

 

The collecting started mid-February and went until Thursday, March 5. She said they plan to do it again next year.

 

For Durocher, he was not only excited to replenish supply, but welcomed some variety. 

 

"Obviously we have a lot of corn and green beans," Durocher said, pointing to a shelf flush with green and yellow cans. "It doesn't go fast but when you start putting toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent and tuna fish — this place empties out pretty quick, as fast as I can put it on the shelf."

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey helped organize the delivery. She said she was not surprised by the agencies joining forces to help the community.

 

"The ambulance has always been there for us, and their division of transport, they serve so many people in the community," she said. "It is how they give back, and we always need to give back to them because they do such good for us."

 

She also thanked Durocher and said because of his good work, the city can keep the pantry open.

 

"That is what it is all about," she said. "We are a community with a lot of pride, and this really helps the people who have paved the way for us." 

 

Durocher underlined that the pantry is open to all North County veterans, not just those who use the department's services. He added that donated items can be dropped off during City Hall hours.

 

Donations can also be made online through the pantry's Amazon wish list here.