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Mark Rondeau holds a sign declaring the Al Nelson Friendship Center at a memorial for his co-founder in creating the North Adams food pantry. Rondeau is taking on the challenging role of director of the Berkshire Food Project.

Berkshire Food Project Names New Executive Director

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project has named Mark Rondeau of North Adams as its executive director.  
 
The agency serves a free lunchtime takeout meal Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at First Congregational Church on Main Street.
 
"I am humbled and honored at this opportunity to lead the Berkshire Food Project. I want to thank the board of directors for hiring me," Rondeau said. "I look forward to working with our staff, volunteers, host church and the entire Northern Berkshire Community in advancing our mission to feed our neighbors in need."  
 
Rondeau has held leadership positions at the former Advocate weekly and at the Bennington (Vt.) Banner newspapers, and has a long familiarity with food insecurity issues as Board President of the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry, North Adams. 
 
The BFP has operated since 1986. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency transitioned to takeout meals while the need for food greatly increased.  
 
At the BFP, Rondeau joins kitchen manager Darlene Ellis, kitchen assistant Caitlyn Johnson, and some 20 volunteers.  
 
"We're delighted that Mark is joining the Berkshire Food Project," said board President James Mahon. "He inspires confidence as a leader dedicated to caring for people and building community."   

Tags: Berkshire Food Project,   

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MCLA's Gallery 51: 'Mothering in Migration'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MCLA's MOSAIC announces the upcoming exhibition "Mothering in Migration" and opening reception at Gallery 51.
 
"Mothering in Migration" will be on view from July 26 to August 25 at Gallery 51 with an opening reception on July 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring light snacks and refreshments. A reception will also be held during North Adams' First Friday event on August 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring catering, refreshments, and live music from Yo Soy Arte.
 
"Mothering in Migration" is part of an ongoing collaboration between artist Luiza Folegatti and Latinas413 that aims to strengthen local support for immigrant mothers while using image-making as a tool for community building. Through photography sessions, interviews, and workshops, the families and the artist celebrated their connection to the natural landscape of the Berkshires, the networks of mutual support between friends and colleagues, and the intimacy of the mother-daughter relationship.
 
The show is curated by Carolina Porras-Monroy.
 
According to a press release: 
 
Luiza Folegatti is a Brazilian artist based in North Adams who integrates artistic practice, teaching, and social advocacy work around the rights of women immigrants. Her work focuses on gender and migration through photography, video,  performance, and visual anthropology methods. Folegatti strongly believes in the positive impact generated by projects that combine photography, education, and community building. She has taught photography workshops for several years at nonprofits working with immigrants and is currently a visiting faculty member in photography at Bennington College, part-time residency coordinator at MASS MoCA, and Artists At Work grantee. 
 
To learn more about Latinas413 visit https://www.latinas413.org/.
 
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