Donation Will Enable Food Project Kitchen to Remain Open During Renovation

The Berkshire Eagle reports the executive director for the community meals program Kim McMann, says her organization received a $5,000 donation from National Grid just before Christmas to cover expenses related to staying open during the renovation work the week of Jan. 14.

During the weeklong kitchen upgrade, McMann says, local businesses will be catering the weekday lunches served at First Congregational Church in North Adams.

The church dining room opens at 11:30 a.m. for coffee and snacks, with lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

On average, 85 to 120 people rely on the meals and even get to take food home, no strings attached.

The National Grid contribution is part of the approximately $60,000 raised toward the overall cost of some new equipment and upgrade to the kitchen to make it more efficient and up to code.

Additional funding has come from a local anonymous donor, supplemented by donations from Berkshire Food Project board members, First Congregational Church members, the recent North Adams Motorama and others in the community.