BMM supports Berkshire Community Action Council warm clothing program

For those in need of warm coats for kids, Berkshire Community Action Council offers a boutique ‘shopping’ experience this year

By Matt Martinez, The Berkshire Eagle November 3, 2022

A program that provides warm clothes for kids will offer more choice to its participants with a new store-like experience this year.

The Warm Winter Clothing Program from the Berkshire Community Action Council announced that this would be the first year for its Children’s Winter Boutiques, featuring locations in Pittsfield and North Adams. Families can “shop,” free of charge, for children 12 and under.

In years past, parents participating in the program received bags of pre-selected clothing from donors who were assigned to a specific child. The new approach is meant to give families choice and provide clothing they’ll enjoy wearing.

“I wanted parents, who know their child best, to be able to pick what they know their child would love to see under the tree on Christmas morning, or whenever they bring it home,” said Deborah Leonczyk, executive director of the Berkshire Community Action Council …

… Whereas the program had previously gotten many of its clothes provided by individual donors, the boutiques received funding from corporate sponsors, including Lee Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Money Management, the Crane Foundation and New Moon Lodge. The program is looking for individual donors.