Help Mel Help

By Mickey Friedman
January 18, 2016

Those of us who live in the Western end of the Commonwealth have long felt we’ve gotten the short end of the stick. The Boston Globe’s analysis of the 2014 Census data shows that while the Median Household Income in Massachusetts is $67,845, income varies greatly depending on where you live.

The Globe prepared an interactive map of the state. As your cursor lands on a town, you can see its median income. It quickly becomes apparent that “Communities in the bottom fifth of incomes are generally located in the western part of the state, though there are several exceptions in central and eastern Massachusetts and on Cape Cod.”

While median household income is as high as $201,200 in Weston, and $137, 456 in Lexington, it plunges to $37, 654 in North Adams and $43, 489 in Pittsfield. Further south, its $51,201 in Lenox, $59,019 in Lee, $57,981 in Stockbridge, and $52,026 in Great Barrington. If you’re looking for wealthier neighbors, try Alford where it’s $91,250.

I’m offering these facts not to send you spiraling into a new year of despair but rather to point out the obvious. There are many amongst us who have far less than others. And the figures point to an institutional problem. Yes, many individuals struggle; but clearly our whole region needs help.

Which is why I’m reminding you to help Mel help those of us who are hungry.

In Western Massachusetts one child in five isn’t getting enough food. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts feeds 235,000 people each year.

Here in South County, Mel Greenberg’s Berkshire Bounty collects food from the Big Y, Ski Butternut, Guido’s, Mazzeo’s, The Marketplace, Haven, Great Barrington Bagel Company, The Home Sweet Home Donut Shoppe, Susan Ebitz, Hilltown Pork and the Berkshire Co-op.

“The Berkshires has a reputation as an upper end community,” Mel told me, “but when one looks closely, it is obvious that not everyone fits into that category. Supporting those who need such help has motivated me all my life and Berkshires Bounty is my way of giving back.”

Each week, Mel and his helpers drive to collect food donations then distribute them to a variety of organizations. A few weeks ago I joined Mel and Jurek and Phyllis as they gave food to the People’s Pantry, the Women, Infants, Children Food and Nutrition Program (WIC), the Senior Center, the Thursday Meal program, and Railroad Street Youth Program.

“I’ve been doing this for many years,” Mel said. “The need for food has increased, and as the economy worsens the need is greater for seniors, young families and the under- and unemployed.”
It is clear that Mel’s truck has taken a beating hauling food these many years. “The fact is,” Mel told me, “maintaining the truck is one of our biggest expenses and biggest needs. Berkshires Bounty cannot operate without a heavy duty truck. Plus, we have to maintain a freezer to hold many of the donated items until we can use them. And, of course, we always purchase some items to supplement the donations.

“In addition to giving out food, our incredibly generous volunteers help us each Thursday prepare a complete meal for anyone who joins us at the VFW in Sheffield. We never know for sure who will come and some nights we serve sixty, other nights as many as a hundred.”

Whenever Mel sees a need he tries to do something about it. So Berkshires Bounty does more than just collect and distribute food.

“Berkshires Bounty is always in need of food donations,” Mel said. “We use donated funds to supplement our meals, help provide diapers to clients of the WIC program, and we help Construct provide some aid to their clients with winter fuel costs. We also provide taxi vouchers for free rides for some seniors to get to their medical appointments, to the hospital, and to go shopping.”

I asked Mel what he thought Berkshires Bounty accomplished. “For the people we serve it may make the difference between going to bed hungry and having food in the house. It lets them know they are not alone, that there are people who understand and are willing to help. That makes a huge difference for people.

“For the businesses that provide food and the people who donate money, it makes them feel good to know they are helping those in their community who sometimes fall through the cracks.

“For me, personally, it makes me feel good to know I’m actually making a difference in people’s lives.”

As I begin another year in the Berkshires, I’m so very glad to know there are local businesses who care so deeply about our community. And I’m privileged to know Mel. Please if you can, help Mel help others.

Send your tax deductible contributions to Berkshire Bounty, 248 East Road, Alford, MA 01266 or call (413) 528-4201.

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Boston Globe story
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/12/18/town-town-look-income-massachusetts/cFBfhWvbzEDp5tWUSfIBVJ/story.html

This column was originally published in the January 7, 2016 issue of the Berkshire Record.