Founding of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing inspirational

By Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director at The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

I was really inspired recently and here’s why:  I was privileged to bear witness to the founding convention of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, or BIO, a new county-wide organization self-described as a “faith- and values-based multi-issue organization that will build community, develop leadership skills and tackle problems such as hunger/food insecurity that affect poor and working poor families in the Berkshires.”

It was very moving to watch 200 religious and lay leaders come together, based on their shared moral principles, in defense of the most vulnerable residents in towns and cities across the Berkshires.  Founded by fourteen Catholic, Protestant and Jewish congregations, members of its Food Security Team visited The Food Bank several months ago to learn more about us and food insecurity in our region. We agreed that advocating for more state funding for nutritious food, through theMassachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), is just one of many ways we can and will work together to advance our mission “to feed our neighbors in need and, [together], lead the community to end hunger.”

We congratulate BIO for taking this bold and much-need stand, and look forward to collaborating with them in the future.