HUNTINGTON, Mass. — To help relieve financial strain and to increase connection between families, the Village Closet will reserve appointments for Berkshire County families.

 

Village Closet, a donation and distribution center in Huntington, will reserve appointments just for Berkshire County families throughout the month of November.

 

"We wanted to make sure families in the Berkshire area knew that we were still committed to serving them," Lisa Goding, Program Director at It Takes a Village, the nonprofit organization that manages the Village Closet said.

 

Acording to a press release, families with young children often face serious economic challenges as well as social isolation from their community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues have only intensified, especially for families in the most rural parts of the region.

 

"Berkshire Month" is supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Central Berkshire Fund. It Takes a Village had planned to host several events in the Central Berkshire Hilltowns of Windsor, Hinsdale, and Peru this year; however the pandemic forced the cancellation of all in-person programming. 

 

Families from Berkshire County can reserve shopping appointments on the organization's website. While open to the public, the Village Closet restricts the number of families allowed inside at one time. 

 

Families who cannot travel to Huntington can also request items through the website, and volunteers will make deliveries to several Berkshire County locations later in November.

 

"Families in the most rural parts of the county are already so isolated, and COVID-19 is only making it worse," Goding said. "Berkshire Month is a way for families to feel connected with their Village again and to get the support they need right now."

 

The Village Closet, now at 2 East Main Street in Huntington, carries free newborn and kids clothing, coats and outerwear, maternity and nursing clothing, larger gear like strollers and high chairs, linens like blankets and crib sheets, feeding supplies, disposable and cloth diapers, books and toys, and more. All items are completely free to everyone, regardless of income or town of residence.

 

Since moving from its previous location in Cummington, it has been more difficult for families in Berkshire County to visit the center.

 

Volunteers are also collecting books and will distribute free "Book Bundles" to select libraries in the Berkshire Hilltowns. To sign up for a shopping appointment and to learn more about It Takes a Village's other support programs, families can visit www.hilltownvillage.org/Berkshire or call 413-650-3640. The Village Closet accepts donations of clean and gently used baby and kids clothing and gear during their open hours, and gladly accepts monetary donations in order to keep these services free to everyone.