Sheffield — Musician Willy Welch—a songwriter known for his work with Peter, Paul, and Mary, along with his song “Playing Right Field”—played a benefit for Great Barrington-based organization Berkshire Bounty at the Christ Trinity Church Parish Hall on Saturday, April 26.
According to its website, Berkshire Bounty is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the collection, purchase, and delivery for food-distribution programs. The organization was formed in 2016 and has more than 100 volunteers.
Welch, who volunteers for the organization, told The Berkshire Edge that the organization’s services are needed now more than ever. ”I deliver groceries for them a couple of times a week and do my little part,” Welch told The Berkshire Edge. ”They gather food from throughout the county and stores, including farms and donations. Then all of the volunteers work like ants and pack all of these food boxes. Then a bunch of us worker bees go in and pick up these boxes, put them all in the back of our cars, and take them around to different places.”
Welch added that the work of Berkshire Bounty is more important than ever considering the various cuts to USDA food-assistance programs throughout the country. ”Berkshire Bounty is doing a yeoman’s job,” Welch said. “It’s always amazing to watch this organization in action.”
“To me, Berkshire Bounty is the backbone of addressing and taking care of hunger issues throughout Berkshire County,”
said Christ Trinity Church Pastor Erik Karas. “Hunger is a never-ending issue in Berkshire County. Whenever we have a fundraiser at our church, we donate it all to the organization we raise funds for. We never keep any of the funds for ourselves. To me, the Berkshires is a great place where neighbors all care for one another.”
For more information about Berkshire Bounty, visit its website.
