AVANGRID Staff Lend A Hand AVANGRID Staff Lend A Hand

by Pam McDonald

On a wintery day late January, a group of 10 volunteers appeared at the Lanesboro Central Kitchen site ready for duty. Al Langland, VP of AVANGRID Gas Engineering & Operations, contacted Elder Services earlier in the month seeking a team building opportunity for the employees of AVANGRID, an affiliate of Berkshire Gas Company. Through the many steps of application, the volunteers completed the required paperwork for this unique volunteering event. The timely correspondence between Al Langland, Sue Kristjansson, President and COO at Berkshire Gas Company, eight AVANGRID employees, and our Elder Services staff met all deadlines within a three week period and on January 25th the 10 volunteers arrived at our Meals on Wheels kitchen in Lanesboro for the assignment and fun.

Following introductions, three volunteers donned aprons, gloves, masks, and hats for fruit and bread packaging. These volunteers witnessed first-hand the quantity of food prepared for consumers (clients) at the kitchen site. Six volunteers teamed with three Meals on Wheels drivers for hot meal delivery in Pittsfield and enjoyed the interaction with consumers so much they would have gladly delivered more meals that snowy day. One volunteer rode with a substitute Meals on Wheels driver assisting wholeheartedly on a route of 20 meal deliveries. Two of the volunteers shared previous experiences with home meal delivery; one as a former route driver and the second as a grandchild assisting his grandmother on her route years ago. A warm memory from this volunteering event came about as two AVANGRID volunteers sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to a delighted senior while delivering a meal. The Meals on Wheels Program demonstrates the glorious act of people helping people. It is a solid network that touches many lives in the Berkshire community. On that snowy day in January, the 10 AVANGRID volunteers witnessed and participated in the Meals on Wheels Program of Berkshire County. Their effort was sincerely appreciated by consumers, volunteers, and staff at Elder Services. Kudos to volunteers one and all!!

Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. NUTRITION PROGRAM SENIOR COMMUNITY DINING CENTERS

Due to the continuing State of Emergency, the status and offerings of the Senior Community Dining Centers are likely to evolve. Please call for the latest update.

Voted Best of t he Berkshi res!

Eligible seniors 60 years or older are welcome to attend any Senior Community Dining Center. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance. The suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. All contributions are returned to the community toward the cost of the Nutrition Program and Services. Those 59 or under are welcome at a required fee of $8.00 per meal.

Facts about medically tailored meals

• Did you know that Elder Services provides medically tailored meals (MTMs)?

• MTMs help meet the needs of seniors with health conditions that require specific diets such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease.

• MTMs can be delivered to individuals at their home five days a week. Menus are developed by a registered dietician and trained staff.

• Call Elder Services (413) 499-0524 to request a special meal such as pureed, cardiac, diabetic, renal and vegetarian.

Health Care on W heels

CHP Mobile Health can help keep you safe from serious Covid illness with boosters, vaccines, and testing.

We’re also here for flu shots, sick visits and follow-ups, primar y care referrals, nutrition counseling, blood pressure checks and other health screenings, insurance assistance, food and fuel help, family ser vices, and WIC.

Walk-in care is available or call us at 413.528.0457 for an appointment. Scan the QR code for CHP ’s current week ly Mobile Health schedule

Need more info? Visit chpbershires.org/mobile or scan the QR code for details and our current schedule