Volunteer

It Takes a Village

Almost 150 people currently give their time to help the South Community Food Pantry — nearly 1,000 volunteer hours per month! Volunteers from organizations and from the community assist us. Many of the people who receive food also assist with the Pantry.

We don’t want to turn anyone away.

We have many dedicated volunteers, but new families sign up daily to receive food. Please consider donating just an hour or two each week to help out.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.”

— Elizabeth Andrew

The RSVP Volunteer Program in Berkshire County is a major community partner of our food pantry. They provide recruitment, training and placement of persons 55 years of age and over as volunteers, enabling volunteers to use their time and lifetime experience to meet new people, help others, be productive and creative, grow personally, explore new careers, and make a difference through community service assignments.

Food Pantry

Although our Food Pantry is open only two mornings each week, volunteers work behind the scenes throughout the week. Weekly volunteer opportunities are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Please note that deliveries require lifting and carrying boxes that weigh roughly 20 lbs.

Please call 413-464-8042, or contact Mary Wheat or Joan Morgan to learn more about the opportunities below and join our volunteer family!

Mondays

Pick up from local grocery stores and bring to the church (8:30–9am, approximately one hour)
Pack food into boxes for delivery (approximately 9–11am)
Deliver to families that cannot get to the pantry (7 to 10 families, depending on the size of your vehicle)

Tuesdays

Pick up from local grocery stores and bring to the church (8:30–9am, approximately one hour)

Pack food into boxes for delivery (approximately 9–11am)
Deliver to families that can’t get to the pantry (7 to 10 families, depending on the size of your vehicle)

Wednesdays

Pick up from local grocery stores and bring to the church (8:30–9am, approximately one hour)
Deliver to families that cannot get to the pantry (7 to 10 families, depending on the size of your vehicle)

Thanksgiving Angels

Each year, the Thanksgiving Angels provide local families with uncooked turkeys and the fixings so they can celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving meal in their own homes. The Thanksgiving Angels now have their own website!

Thanksgiving Angels

Write Letters to Our Legislators

We encourage you to write letters to our legislators to share your experience with the food pantry and the need for food assistance in the Berkshires and beyond — especially at this time when the 2023 Farm Bill is being written.

We Urge You to Ask Our Legislators to:

Increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables by increasing support for produce-specific Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
Eliminate barriers to SNAP for marginalized populations,
Keep food out of landfills, and
Support funding for international food aid programs.

Please see our post about the 2023 Farm Bill.

A Few Letter-Writing Tips

Ask for specific action using your own words
Give reasons for your request and make it personal (share a personal reason or story)
Write your name and address on the letter so that your members of Congress know you are one of their constituents