What We Do
Our Mission
Our mission is to respectfully serve our neighbors experiencing food insecurity by distributing healthy food, locally sourced whenever feasible. In doing so, we strengthen our community.
Since 1999, we have served the South Berkshire community, welcoming all who visit us without requiring proof of income or status.
Our Vision
The People’s Pantry aims to create an environment, in collaboration with individuals and other organizations in our community, which supports the building of healthy lives for individuals and families.
Our Work
The People’s Pantry of Great Barrington was founded in 1999 in response to an increasing need for access to healthy food by South Berkshire County residents experiencing food insecurity.
We have always been open to all community residents. There are no income guidelines and shoppers are welcome to visit once a week.
The People’s Pantry is primarily run by volunteers from the community and is supported with food collection and financial donations from local organizations and individuals.
The Pantry provides our shoppers with fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meats and fish, baked goods, milk and cheese. We also offer a wide selection of foods including shelf stable items such as pasta, rice, and cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, tuna fish and toiletries.
The Pantry provides locally sourced food as often as possible and is a member agency of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, which supplies us with shelf-stable and frozen foods.
Community donations make up a substantial part of our inventory.
To learn more about hunger in the United States visit Feeding America’s website.
Our Board
Beth Moser, President
Laura Gratz, Vice President
Anne Hutchinson, VP Operations
George Raymond, Secretary
Ellen Heffan, Treasurer
Members: Silke Aisenbrey, John Creek, Louise Feldman, Shira Nichaman, Devorah Sawyer & Carrie Thayer
Carol Purcell, Director Emeritus
Our Staff
Shannon Maneely-Ranson, Administration
Dennis Iodice, Pantry Operations
Kai Cimmino, Pantry Distribution