The Berkshire Food Project seeks to alleviate hunger, food insecurity, and social isolation by serving healthy, nocost meals and connecting people to other resources, all in a a dignified and respectful manner.

March 2019

Kitchen Renovation Continues - Almost Done!

Renovations have continued in the kitchen, though the biggest tasksare complete.  The latest addition is our ceiling mounted pot rack. This is not only a convenience, with pots and pans at our fingertipswhen needed - it has also allowed us to use all the space wherethose big items had been stored for other kitchen equipment.  Thisis key to our next big job - installing the HVAC unit, which requirestaking down one of our existing cabinets.  The renovation project has been an intricate process where eachstep is connected to a next step - moving the range to its newlocation required removing the radiator that provided heat in thekitchen, thus leading to the need for a new heat unit, which requiredthe removal of the cabinet, thus the need for other storage space -ultimately leading to the ceiling  mounted rack!  We are using everyinch of space in the kitchen to its fullest potential!

Pots and pans hang from the new ceiling mounted rack.

We expect to finish the renovationnext month!  We will keep you

posted and continue to share photosof the latest improvements.

Vegetarian Meals

Recently we have been having acouple of vegetarian days eachmonth.  This is usually a delicious stirfry of various vegetables over rice orpasta.    Most days though, our mealsinclude meat.  We are always happyto provide a vegetarian meal forthose who do not eat meat -sometimes we have it alreadyprepared and ready to serve, otherdays it requires a quick heating ofsoup or other option.  If you arevegetarian, please know that you canstill enjoy lunch at the BerkshireFood Project!   Did you know we serve coffee from11:30 AM?   Lunch is served from 12noon until 1 PM, but we have snacksand coffee each day starting at11:30.

Coffe�

April 29at The Green at 85 MainStreet, North Adams

PublicMeeting7:45 - 8:30 AM

JOIN US!  RSVP Today!Please join us!

We want to tell you about everything thathas been going on at the Berkshire Food

Project. We want to recognize our2018 Volunteer of the Year and a long

time Board Member who retired in 2018. We want to tell you about the donationsimpacting coffee time each day beforelunch. And we want to tell you what

we've got planned next.

Coffee and pastries will be served.

Register by clicking here ORscan code to right.

We have at least one opportunity each month forvolunteers who are not able to come in onweekday mornings.  Tasks vary, depending onrecent donations and other factors.  If you want toknow what projects are planned you can call   413-664-7378 or e-mailinfo@berkshirefoodproject.org.  

Next One: Saturday -  April 13

We pick up donations every weekday and can alwaysuse volunteers who would like to pick up at the sameplace once a week.We cook and clean and serve food and do dishes everyweekday from 9 AM to 2 PM - volunteers welcome forany shift or task.There are phone calls that can be made from home.

Weekend Volunteer Opportunities

Weekday  Volunteer Opportunities

Dignity and Respect

Decades ago, the Berkshire Food Project was created toprovide free meals to people in the community whomight not have enough food.  Students at WilliamsCollege began the project in response to the closure ofSprague Electric - which had been a major employer inNorth Adams until it closed.  The students realized thatnot only might some of the newly unemployed need ameal, but they also knew they might be feeling a loss ofdignity because of that.  From the beginning, our goal atthe Berkshire Food Project has been not only to be aplace where people can find a free meal, but also a placewhere dignity can be restored.   We believe our dining room is a sanctuary from all of thecrisis that our diners may be facing - for a short whileeach day they can enjoy a good meal while feelingwelcome and respected.   We want every person whoenters to know they are part of our Berkshire FoodProject family and we are happy they have joined us. Our staff and volunteers have regular training anddiscussions to ensure that we are doing all we can toprovide everybody with enough food as well as thedignity and respect that everyone deserves. We will be sharing some of that information in ournewsletter from time to time.    See next section for anintroduction to  our code of conduct.

We treat everyonewith dignity and

respect.

We are always improving what we do because wewant the best for our diners. We consider needs, feelings and rights of others. We give positive feedback. We do not tolerate unacceptable behavior. We are transparent about our actions and choices. We all work as a team.

We keep it simple. We make it easy for

people to haveenough to eat and

connect toresources.

We make our work as simple as possible. We make sure we are understood. We are clear about BFP's goals and work to achievethem. We believe that people know best what they need. We help people connect to services in the community.

We care. We always show

empathy and supportall who are 

in need.

We are welcoming to everyone. We meet people where they are. We make sure everyone gets a meal. We bring concerns to the executive director.

The BFP CODE of Conduct

The Berkshire Food Project • 134 Main Street, PO Box 651 • North Adams, MA 01247 • 413-664-7378

Kim McMann, Executive Director • Darlene Ellis, Kitchen Managerinfo@berkshirefoodproject.org