Category: The Berkshire Eagle

  • A ‘little bright spot’: Amid federal cuts, four Berkshire restaurants receive over $68,000 to feed those in need

    This year, four Berkshire restaurants received over $68,000 to cook food for those in need.

    The funds are from the MassDevelopment’s Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants. The award was part of $900,000 distributed to 31 restaurants statewide.

    In Pittsfield, BB’s Hot Spot, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Mazzeo’s Ristorante received $11,420, $13,000 and $10,000, respectively. The largest share went to Bigg Daddy’s in North Adams, which received $34,200.

    The money enabled local restaurants to prepare meals that they delivered to food banks, pantries, senior centers, schools and emergency food distribution sites. Restaurants applied after MassDevelopment invited them for the grant. They were then paired with local food pantries.

    According to Franklin County Community Development Corp. Program Manager Hannah Sobel, the program delivered almost 45,000 meals across western Massachusetts.

    “I’m happy to do so to make sure people are fed,” said BB’s Hot Spot owner Ronny Brizan.

    This program comes at a time of uncertainty for the future of fighting food insecurity, amid heightened concerns over the rising cost of living. Federal funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could increase food insecurity across the U.S., placing more responsibility on states to fill the gap.

    The current government shutdown could also affect funding for SNAP benefits in the coming months.

    According to a survey from the Greater Boston Food Bank, 39 percent of households in Berkshire County faced food insecurity in 2024. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts assisted an average of about 25,000 people per month that year. More than 40 food pantries and meal sites operate in the Berkshires.

    “It’s closer to home than you think. There are people in your community who struggle to put food on their table, whether you call it food insecurity, call it whatever you like. But they’re struggling to feed themselves. And they are working people, they’re senior citizens, they’re children,” said Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Andrew Morehouse.

    Changes to SNAP will increase eligibility requirements that people need to meet to qualify for the benefits, going into effect sometime this year. Morehouse said the changes will include increased work requirements which could affect those who can’t get work due to disabilities, transportation access or systemic inequities.

    “We’re very concerned. SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in the country,” he said.

    The loss of benefits will likely drive more people to seek assistance from food pantries, Morehouse said, adding this surge could put food banks under a lot of pressure to meet heightened demand. In addition, the federal government discontinued an annual national survey that food banks previously used to assess food insecurity across the country.

    The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts moved to a larger facility two years ago, and Morehouse said the additional staff and equipment have helped staff meet heightened demand during periods of increased need.

    For now, SNAP benefits for the month of October are protected. A longer shutdown could eventually affect SNAP, and it is already affecting other federally funded programs.

    State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said the state is committed to keeping Massachusetts’ four food banks running. She added that with programs like MassDevelopment’s, she always wants to make sure funding reaches as far west as Berkshire County.

    “Things are difficult in this world right now, and then we see some little bright spots,” said Farley-Bouvier. “I don’t think any one of these things is the answer to it all, but isn’t it great that we have a way that we can make differences here and there.”

  • ‘A stopgap.’ How part of a $17 million allocation will help Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital offset federal cuts

    Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital will each receive state funding to help offset anticipated federal cuts.

    Specifically, the hospitals will receive a part of a $17 million allocation. The state rolled out than $122 million in funding last month to acute care hospitals. The specific amount each hospital will receive has not been released yet and is being calculated based on how many patients they have.

    The allocation was part of a larger $234 million spending bill passed by the Legislature that also provides funding for the Massachusetts Health Safety Net Fund, which pays acute care hospitals and community health centers for essential health care services for qualified uninsured and underinsured residents.

    The cuts stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will see millions lose Medicaid coverage without Congressional action. The bill also allows tax credits to expire at the end of this year that have made health insurance more affordable for millions since the pandemic, which are at the heart of the current federal shutdown.

    Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate said the federal spending bill will lead to reduced enrollment in insurance. The state allocation hopes to insulate hospitals from that. 

    “What I really, really appreciate with the commonwealth is that we’re very, very proactive,” said state Rep. Leigh Davis, D-Great Barrington. “We can see what’s happening. We can read the tea leaves. This is basically a stopgap. We need longer-term planning.”

    According to a recent Berkshire Benchmarks survey, 1 in 4 participants reported that they do not have the finances or health insurance necessary for the care they need, with people of color disproportionately affected. 

    As federal budget cuts to Medicaid and premium supports for people insured under the Affordable Care Act take effect, Davis said the state will have to fill the gaps.

    “These shortfalls will only grow as federal cutbacks are implemented and more people fall off MassHealth and other government-funded plans. BHS and the state’s other hospitals are working with the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association on longer-term solutions for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond,” said Berkshire Health Systems spokesperson Michael Leary in a statement.

    This state relief funding is meant to act as a lifeline for local hospitals, and Davis said hospitals have been advocating for financial help. The funding will help hospitals and community health programs, especially smaller ones, stay afloat as they already deal with issues like borrowing costs.

    “The hospitals can know that they have a little bit of cushion and that the Legislature is there for the long ride. We’re there and we’re listening to them and we’re responsive. This is just one step in a longer process of helping our health care system,” said Davis.

    “The state is No. 1 in health care and we have a real, real commitment to ensuring that the residents are provided for. So you’re going to see more of this,” said Davis, adding that the funding should reach the hospitals by the end of the year.