The Next Festival of Emerging Artists also has its eyes on the future. An annual event founded by composer-conductor Peter Askim in 2013, it brings together young like-minded string players and cutting-edge composers for a week of intensive preparation followed by a pair of performances.
The panel will share the current outlook of food and agriculture in the region, creative approaches some businesses have taken and from which others can learn, and provide a point of perspective on the future of the Berkshires’ food system.
In a letter to the editor, Fred Clark writes, "I am going to do my part to rectify this situation by my actions and donate my stimulus check to support food, housing and medical support groups."
“Spring into Reading” is the Great Barrington Libraries’ community-wide initiative to help residents whose experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has been coupled with economic and food insecurity.
The dark side of this story, and it seems that there is always a dark side, is that some people are getting antsy about the new folks who are arriving.
A growing sea of similar stories that swell amid these trying times - when kids are out of school, parents are out of work, and the infrastructure of community that so many rely upon in order to survive feels tenuous at best.
People of all descriptions shop at the Pantry and some don’t speak English. The Pantry has translators who can help. When a new client shows up, a volunteer will escort them around and talk about the availability of different items.
For 25 years, Mel, along with many helpers and his well-worn pickup, drove to the markets, bakeries and cafes of Great Barrington each week collecting food donations and distributing them to a variety of organizations.
The People’s Pantry is located at Saint James Place and distributes food to all those in South County who feel they need help feeding themselves and their families.
