Nonprofit Center Adding Food Pantries, Meal Sites to Giving Back Guide

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) is seeking sponsors and nonprofit entries for its 8th annual Giving Back guide, a reference publication that features a directory of over 1,000 Berkshire nonprofits organized by category of interest and includes profiles of 100 charitable organizations. 
 
The Giving Back guide helps people who want to volunteer and donate, but need more information, to make choices and take action. The guide is also used by businesses and nonprofits, giving circles, leadership programs, schools with community service programs, real estate offices, and wealth managers. 
 
"This year we are adding a list of food pantries and meal sites to assist with continued food insecurity in Berkshire County," said Liana Toscanini, NPC Executive Director. "We are also including an article authored by Berkshire Bounty with tips on types of food items most needed."
 
The Giving Back guide is inserted into the weekend edition of The Berkshire Eagle in late October, and can also be found in coffee shops, libraries, town halls, and retail venues. A total of 15,000 free copies are given out each year, fueling the nonprofit sector with the donations and volunteers upon which it depends. 
 
"Sponsors are critical partners in producing this invaluable resource for our community, particularly with continued high paper and printing prices," Toscanini said.
 
Information on sponsorships, advertising, and nonprofit profiles can be found at npcberkshires.org or by calling (413) 441-9542.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Banjo Pickin' Gals At Bidwell House

MONTEREY, Mass. — On Aug. 10, Paula Bradley and Marylou Ferrante, going by the name Banjo Blue, will showcase the music of female banjo players from the 1920-1940's, along with their stories, songs and struggles. 
 
PAULA BRADLEY: A West Virginia-born multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, banjo-uke, harmonica and piano), Paula has been involved in roots music for many years. Known for her strong, spirited vocals as well as her clogging, she has toured (on banjo) with old-time darlings "Uncle Earl"; with old-time powerhouse Bruce Molsky (on guitar and banjo uke); and recorded and toured with Tony Trischka and Bruce as part of the acoustic roots trio "Jawbone". She was also a founding member of the acclaimed old-time trio "The Rhythm Rats" as well as the popular New England honky tonk combo "Girl Howdy." For the last 18 years, she performed with her late husband, Bill Dillof, in the old-time duet "Moonshine Holler" as well as their trio with VT fiddler Jim Burns, “Run Mountain. She currently leads her own juke joint honkytonk band "Miss Paula & The Twangbusters" (piano and lead vocals) in addition to playing vintage country with Berkshire-based "The Spurs USA."
 
MARYLOU FERRANTE is an multi-instrumentalist who sings & performs old blues, old time, country & folk music on guitar, mandolin, dulcimer & banjo. Marylou's performances are filled with storytelling & history; she covers solo blues artists from the delta to east coast piedmont style players such as Charlie Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson as well as Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and mandolin greats like Charlie McCoy & Yank Rachell as well as old time & country artist like The Carter Family, Cousin Emmy, Elizabeth Cotten. Her numerous performances include opening for Maria Muldaur. Her passionate expression of these old songs comes from a love of the music and the arrangements themselves, as well as what she says is an appreciation for "the history of these folks and the difficult circumstances they endured."
 
This program will take place outside under a tent and pre-registration is required. Tickets can be reserved on the Museum website, https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/banjo-pickin-gals/
 
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Tyringham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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