BEAT Awarded Funding for a Community Commercial Dishwasher

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative (BZWI), a program of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), has been selected as a recipient of one of Mass DEP's Reduce, Reuse Repair Micro-Grants. 
 
The award will be used to purchase and install a commercial dishwasher at BEAT's Environmental Leadership and Education Center, located in Pittsfield, as well as to purchase supplies for a stock of at least 100 reusable place settings, including plates, bowls, silverware, glasses, coffee mugs and tea cups, and some serving dishes and utensils.
 
The dishwasher will be used by BEAT and BZWI to sanitize all dishwares used at BEAT events, both those held at the center and elsewhere in Berkshire County. The 100+ place settings will also be made available to community groups for public gatherings as well as individuals for private parties. Community members will be able to reserve the type and amount of dishes needed in advance, pick them up at the BEAT office, and bring them back for washing after use.
 
Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative's mission is to help move Berkshire County towards zero waste. This project aims to do so by eliminating barriers associated with choosing alternatives to single-use items, especially plastic foodware, including money and time spent on durable dishwares and their cleaning. Use of this community resource is intended to be accessible to all, and is expected to be in place by the end of this year.
 
This project will be funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Learn more about the Reduce Reuse Repair Micro-Grants and this year's recipients from Mass DEP.
 
This educational program is offered by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pittsfield. Learn more about BEAT's programs and what they do at www.thebeatnews.org.

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Housing Secretary Applauds County's Collaborative Housing Efforts

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass.—State leadership recognized the collaborative spirit that drives Berkshire County to address hard-hitting issues with a multi-faceted approach.
 
On Thursday, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus visited Pittsfield Housing Authority (PHA) and Berkshire Community Action Council's central office.  
 
His overarching observation? The collaborative spirit that surrounds nonprofit providers, state, federal, and local government.
 
"It's not about turf, it's not about fiefdom, it's about who you're trying to serve and the difference you're trying to make with your targeted population," he said, adding that there is still a lot of work to do and they will need that state's help with funding and technical assistance.
 
PHA owns and administers public housing for over 200 families and more than 400 individual tenants.  Augustus walked through Columbia Arms, which houses elders and disabled community members through income-based rental apartments.
 
Earlier this year, Tina Danzy was hired as the executive director.  During a private meeting, she and other PHA representatives discussed the city's aging housing stock, CARES Act funding increases, and community coordinators' positive impact.
 
Augustus explained that both the housing authority and state are enthused about community coordinators, which track issues and assist with developing programs and events.  
 
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