Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Central Berkshire Fund Issues $120,000 Challenge Grant to Fund Emergency Aid for Hilltown Residents

May 4, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced today that the Central Berkshire Fund has offered a challenge grant to support people in need in the seven Hilltowns (Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, and Windsor). If the towns raise a combined total of $20,000, the Fund will provide a 5:1 match, creating a $120,000 resource for individuals and families needing emergency assistance through the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. The deadline for the towns to meet the challenge grant is June 1, 2011.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor provides emergency assistance for local residents who are in economic distress. The program makes small grants (generally up to $500) to help those with overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs, and transportation problems. Checks are written to the vendor (landlord, utility company, pharmacy or mechanic) on behalf of the community member in need. The funds are not intended for long-term or ongoing assistance, but for strategic intervention to help achieve a measure of stability and avert further crises.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor is partnering with Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC), a countywide social service agency, to administer this program. If you or someone you know needs emergency financial assistance, contact BCAC at 413.445.4503 extension 140 or n2ngrant@bcacinc.org.

This is the second Central Berkshire Fund challenge grant for the hilltowns. Following are examples of those who were helped last year:

A man with an acute spinal cord injury was facing having to go into a nursing home because his own home could not accommodate a wheelchair. The Central Berkshire Fund paid for the materials to build a ramp for his home. Many of his neighbors contributed their labor to make sure he could safely return home.

A husband and wife, both with disabilities, are living with their two children on a limited income. Neighbor-to-Neighbor provided money to replace their broken hot water tank. Construct, an agency dedicated to preventing homelessness also contributed to this expense.

A single woman with a disability was abandoned by her husband and facing many unpaid bills. Neighbor-to-Neighbor paid her oil bill so that she could stay warm until the Berkshire Community Action Council enrolled her in the Fuel Assistance Program.

“Though times are tough, this is also a remarkable and generous moment in Central Berkshire County,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. “So many local families are suddenly struggling for food, housing and employment and at the same time, it’s heartening to see neighbors doing everything they can to help each other. Donations to Neighbor-to-Neighbor have the immediate impact of easing suffering in our community.”

Each town must meet a specific match based upon its population with a minimum of 20 gifts per town by June 1, 2011. All of the funds will be dedicated to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program for that specific town. Every town’s donation will be matched individually at a 5 to 1 ratio so long as the full challenge amount is raised. If any town raises less than the challenge amount, its donation will go to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program for that town, but will not be matched by the Central Berkshire Fund.

Following is a summary of the amount each town must raise along with its progress toward that goal: Becket: $2,750, left to raise: $985; Cummington: $1,375, left to raise: $730; Dalton: $9,625, left to raise: $8,324; Hinsdale: $2,750, left to raise: $2,310; Peru: $1,375, left to raise: $1,275; Washington: $750, left to raise: $455; Windsor: $1,375, left to raise: 0 (Windsor has raised $450 more than its goal).

To help Central Berkshire County meet the matching grant challenge for emergency aid, contributions may be sent to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (P.O. Box 400, Sheffield, MA 01257) earmarked for Neighbor-to-Neighbor (specify town) or donations can be made online.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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