Donations delivered to Berkshire Food Project
On this beautiful day, March 20th, 2023, we were excited to meet with our non-profit partner to thank our community together for their generous donations to make Every Penny Counts.
Today Netse Lytle, General Manager, Wild Oats Market, delivered 100% of all February 2023 Round Up for Change donations done at our Wild Oats Market registers when they donated change at check out.
A check for a total of $2,464.93 was hand delivered to Mark Rondeau, Director of Berkshire Food Project. These funds will be used to help alleviate hunger, food insecurity, and social isolation by serving healthy, no cost meals and connecting people to other resources, all in a dignified and respectful manner.
We thank you for all your support and for making your spare change count! It really does make a difference in our community when you #shopthecoop!
PEOPLE IN PHOTO (left to right)
Netse Lytle, General Manager, Wild Oats Market Co-op
Mark Rondeau, Director, Berkshire Food Project
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PRESS RELEASE FROM BERKSHIRE FOOD PROJECT
Berkshire Food Project offers free meals in North Adams
NORTH ADAMS -- Berkshire Food Project Inc., located in the hall of the First Congregational Church of North Adams, has been offering people meals with dignity and respect since 1987.
Currently, we serve people in our dining room on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. We will resume indoor dining five days a week in April. The Berkshire Food Project served an unprecedented number of meals in 2021, 97,485 -- 16,000 more than in 2021. We are a 501c3 non-profit, and we welcome everyone with no questions asked.
Executive Director Mark Rondeau said he was pleased that BFP would again benefit from Wild Oats’ Round Up for Change program. “This is a great way to raise awareness of our program and raise money for it,” he said. “We at the Berkshire Food Project greatly appreciate the support of Wild Oats and its customers.”
Between March 2020 and late 2022, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the BFP served only hot meals to go, along with some grocery items, and provided meals to other agencies for delivery. We are moving away from that model of serving and strongly encourage people to come dine with us.
Founded by Williams College students in conjunction with church members and others, the BFP’s mission, from its start, has been as much about ending social isolation as feeding people.
We have a small paid staff and rely on volunteers to keep operating. For more information, or to volunteer, visit website or call 413-664-7378.
Berkshire Food Project, 134 Main Street, P.O. Box 651, North Adams MA 01247.
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ABOUT WILD OATS MARKET
Wild Oats Market Local, organic, & specialty community-owned co-op grocery store! Everyone can shop & Anyone can join.
We contribute regularly to non-profit organizations serving our community, with a focus on those groups helping in areas central to our mission and ends policy.
Wild Oats Market began as a buying club in 1975 organized by a small group of motivated people who wanted unrefined, additive-free foods and products with minimum packaging.
In 1982, our storefront operation started with only 100 members and $5,000. As the years passed, we attracted a growing number of individuals interested in health and the environment, as well as organic and natural foods, and supporting the efforts of local farmers and artisans.
Because we’re a co-op, Wild Oats’ member-owners have always been able to make sure that its actions reflected their commitment to local and organic food, sustainable living, social responsibility and related concerns. Our Cooperative Principles and Ends Policy continue to guide us nearly 40 years later.
We expanded to our present location at 320 Main Street in 2005, giving us more space to offer a wider selection of options. Today we have more than 1600 member-owners and specialize in local and organic produce, fair-trade and allergen-free grocery items, artisan cheese, locally and sustainably raised meats, regional craft beer and organic wines and all the amazing house-made items from our kitchen and bakery.
CONTACT WILD OATS MARKET:
Netse Lytle, General Manager, WildOats.coop, 413-458-5317 x13, gm@wildoats.coop