Berkshire Money Management sets $25,000 match challenge for Thanksgiving Angels fundraiser
A feast for every table
By Kimberly Kirchner Sponsored Content Editor October 22, 2022
For many, the thought of Thanksgiving conjures up Rockwellian images of happy families, gathered together around a dining table overflowing with all the fixings for a hot, hearty meal.
But for those facing food insecurity, a Thanksgiving feast may feel like an impossible luxury, especially in a time of economic uncertainty and rising prices at the grocery store.
For the eleventh year in a row, the Thanksgiving Angels are banding together to bring Thanksgiving meals to every Berkshire family that needs on — a mission that’s more important now than ever before.
“This is a very particular year, meeting a particular problem,” said Reverend Mike Denton, pastor of South Congregational Church on South St. in Pittsfield. “Helping create normality in such abnormal times is important and helpful, and makes our whole community better together.”
Tough times and turkey troubles
This year is an especially challenging one for the Thanksgiving Angels, a network of 22 nonprofits that band together to provide holiday meals for thousands of Berkshire County families each year.
With inflation still leaving its mark on the weekly grocery bill, many people have found themselves struggling to fill their table, even if their income hasn’t changed since last year.
“We’re having more people in need this year,” said Mary Wheat, who oversees the South Community Food Pantry at South Congregational year-round, as well as coordinating the Angels’ efforts each Thanksgiving.
According to an analysis by the hunger awareness group Project Bread of data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, 18.3% of Massachusetts households were experiencing food insecurity as of August 2022 — the highest percentage since rates peaked at 19.6% in May of 2020.
Last year, the Angels distributed meals to roughly 1,600 families; in 2022, organizers expect that number to reach 2,000 families, or about 7,000 individuals.
To compound the issue, both for families and for the Angels, an outbreak of highly contagious avian flu earlier this year cut into the number of both fresh and frozen turkeys that will be available for Thanksgiving. That decreased supply leads to increased costs. Wheat noted that wholesale turkey prices have doubled since 2020. This year, the group will spend over $70,000 on birds alone.
Fortunately, the Angels don’t work alone.
Berkshire Money Management sets $25,000 match challenge
Berkshire Money Management is again lending its support to the event: the company has pledged to match every donation up to $25,000, effectively doubling every contribution.
“We at Berkshire Money Management support many causes throughout the year, but as a volunteer at the South Congregational Food Pantry, this event is special to me because I have seen first-hand how much the holiday meal made possible by the Thanksgiving Angels and their supporters means to our neighbors in need,” said Stacey Carver, co-founder of Berkshire Money Management. “I have had the opportunity to get to know many who benefit from the program and hear how much joy it brings during my weekly home deliveries.
“This year, with the dramatic rise in food prices, there is even more need. We hope BMM’s $25,000 match challenge will encourage our friends and fellow business owners to join us in supporting the Thanksgiving Angels in feeding our community,” she said.
