PITTSFIELD, Mass.—Berkshire United Way has partnered with community members and local organizations to donate school supplies to 14 schools across the county. 

 

For the last few days Berkshire United Way and its partners, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lenco Armored Vehicles, and Kiwanis Club of South County, have been dropping the supplies off at the schools. 

 

Director of Volunteer Engagement Brenda Petell said the cost of going back to school is expensive. From school clothes to haircuts, to materials, the cost adds up and is burdensome for some families, she said.

 

Rebecca Beron, Greylock Federal Credit Union branch manager for the Allendale branch echoed these remarks adding that Berkshire United Way is an important part of the community because of its access.

 

"They get access to everybody, it doesn't matter who you are. United Way is there to help in any kind of capacity. So, the fact that they took this initiative and ran with it, I think is great," Beron said. 

 

Items have been donated to all Pittsfield Public Schools and three schools in South County.

 

Prior to putting a request for donations out, Berkshire United Way worked with Deputy Superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools Marisa Mendoza to generate a list of needed school supplies. 

 

"So we decided that instead of doing a backpack giveaway that can be duplicative with all the organizations, we wanted to give school supplies directly to the schools because they know what they need, and they know who needs it," Petell said. 

 

Every elementary school received three large tote bags filled with school supplies including pencils, markers, folders, disinfectant wipes, and notebooks, among other necessities. 

 

The middle school and high schools received four boxes of supplies which also included copy paper from MacFarlane Office Products. 

 

In addition to supplies, the endeavor raised over $5,000 which was split evenly between the schools. 

 

Williams Elementary School Principal Kerry Light also noted the high cost of purchasing school supplies but highlighted how one of the things she loves about this area is community involvement. 

 

"I think, back in the day, the school supply lists were very minimal. I look at them now and they're extravagant, and if you have three kids, the amount of money that families are spending on school supplies is a lot year after year after year," Light said. 

 

"So it's just very helpful to be able to have this added resource to be able to offer to any and all students who are in need." 

 

Whatever supplies that the school doesn't use at the beginning of the year will be given to students later in the year when they become needed again. 

 

Petell hopes this initiative becomes a pilot program for the nonprofit which they can build off of so that they can raise awareness that schools know what they need best. 

 

"And if we could get back to schools having the supplies that all the kids need when they show up on their first day it would really create an equitable playing field," Petell said. 

 

For the last month, the United Way has advertised its initiative to aid schools using online resources and accepted item and cash donations at in-person drop-off centers in Pittsfield and Berkshire South Regional Community Center. 

 

To make the fundraising effort as accessible as possible, the organization also accepted donations via an Amazon Wish List, so items ordered by community members could be shipped directly to Berkshire United Way's office. 

 

"Anytime there's a specific need, especially for our youth, our community really rallies to make sure our youth are supported," Petell said. 

 

United Way organizations across the country held "Stuff the Bus" where people fill a bus with school supplies which are then donated. 

 

Taking inspiration from these other United Way's across the country, the nonprofit partnered with Lenco Armored Vehicles to organize a "Fill the Bearcat" opportunity on Aug. 17. Third Thursday. BearCat is the name of the armored car that Lenco produces in Pittsfield.