Berkshire County — Nonprofit organization Berkshire Bounty has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover its operational expenses.
Co-founded in 2016 by Jay Weintraub and Mark Lefenfeld, who now serve as co-presidents, Berkshire Bounty collects and distributes food to South County pantries and senior centers, supplementing donations with purchased food.
The nonprofit aims to raise $100,000 through the crowdfunding campaign by the end of the year. As of press time on Thursday, December 11, the organization has raised $57,799, approximately 58 percent of its goal.
“Over the past year, there have been fluctuations when it comes to food insecurity in Berkshire County,” organization Director of Development Sara Haimowitz told The Berkshire Edge. “Not too long ago, there was a cessation of SNAP benefits [from the federal government]. Thankfully, that is behind us. But it was extremely disruptive, and it continues to be disruptive.”
According to Haimowitz, emergency food sites in Berkshire County continue to report elevated demand. “I think people are concerned their SNAP benefits could be reduced again,” she said. “Some residents have experienced gaps in their benefits, which directly affects their access to food. The emergency food network still may not have fully recovered from the recent SNAP benefit changes. We are also apprehensive about future eligibility changes caused by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, which could further limit access to food assistance.”
According to the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance website, certain non-citizens and immigrants may not be eligible for SNAP benefits due to eligibility changes made by the Trump administration and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The act also includes new work requirements for those receiving SNAP to remain eligible for their benefits.
“People are worried, and they are scared,” Haimowitz said. “Food insecurity was already a growing issue in Berkshire County, and I don’t think that this will change anytime soon. The numbers of people who are in need continue to rise.”
According to statistics provided by Berkshire Bounty, so far in 2025, the organization has distributed 575,000 pounds of food to 32 emergency food sites in Berkshire County, which serve over 21,000 residents per week.
Haimowitz said the organization is on track to distribute 700,000 pounds of food by the end of the year, and its biggest expense is buying food. “The rising expenses of food are a contributor to food insecurity,” she said. “There is a certain risk that the cost of food and the need may outpace our ability to buy it.”
At various points in the campaign, donations have been matched by John W. Field Tree Service, the Neil and Kathleen Chrisman Fund, Laura and Eric Jordahl, The Buchwald Family Foundation, 3BL, Berkshire Money Management, and the Fieldcrest Aspiration Foundation. “Our community has been and continues to be very generous,” Haimowitz said. “We are all very grateful for that. Donations from local businesses and individuals comprise a huge portion of our support, and our Berkshire County community really pulls together.”
Haimowitz said the organization is committed to working efficiently and strategically throughout 2026. “Things always change, and times are really scary,” she said. “There are still risks that our partner organizations that serve the community may lose federal funding and other funding sources. But we want to help them to thrive and fulfill their needs.”
For more information about Berkshire Bounty’s crowdfunding campaign, visit its website.
