Get Help

Let us help you connect to community resources.

 

We have compiled informational documents and ways to connect to various resources throughout Berkshire County.

Please note that this page does not include all the resources available. For assistance with programs and resources, we recommend connecting with a Community Navigator at (413) 442-3181 x0.

* Community Navigation is a BUW-supported program through Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity

Berkshire County is home to a robust network of emergency food sites including food pantries, meal sites, school district food distributions, senior centers, and other food access organizations. Learn where and how you can access food.

Need help filing your taxes? Learn more about Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a program supported by Berkshire United Way, or MyFreeTaxes, a service supported by United Way Worldwide.

(These resources are available during tax season, February through mid-April)

United Way, in partnership with SingleCare (formerly FamilyWize), offers a prescription discount program as a powerful resource for your community. Berkshire United Way has cards available in our office and at events.

The SingleCare Prescription Savings Card:

  • Always free to use by everyone – just show it to the pharmacist
  • Save up to 80% on 10,000+ prescription medications
  • Accepted at major pharmacy chains nationwide
  • No registration or eligibility requirements. Use it right away!
  • Sign up on SingleCare.com for additional member savings
  • Works whether you’re insured or underinsured
  • Unlimited uses

SingleCare prescription card image

        Click on image for details

Berkshire County Transportation Guide | Berkshires without Barriers (as of December 2022)

This guide was prepared by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, the Berkshire Regional Coordination Council on Transportation, the Common Wealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration.

Free Taxi Rides

Call County Rainbow Taxi Transportation Service at 413-499-4300 (rides subject to approval).

call 413-499-4300 for free taxi rides

Click image for downloadable PDF

Everyone deserves clean clothes, but getting your clothes clean can also be expensive. If you need help getting your laundry done, Laundry Love has you covered.

In collaboration with Cathedral of the Beloved, Zion Lutheran Church, and St. Stephen's in Pittsfield, the North Street Coin Op at 320 North Street in Pittsfield can assist low-income/no-income families and individuals.

Call Laurie at (413) 443-4646 to schedule an appointment* to wash your clothes. If you can't call, just drop in to make an appointment.

* Appointments are necessary.

» Learn more about Laundry Love

Habitat ReStore

399 Hubbard Avenue, Pittsfield
(413) 443-2106 or text (413) 449-3774 for donation appointment – include name, city/town, pick up or drop off, list of items, picture(s) of items. Or fill out form at: berkshirerestore.org/donate-goods/

will accept: appliances, furniture, pots/pans, windows, doors, tiles, cabinets, and more

Christian Center

193 Robbins Avenue, Pittsfield, (413) 443-2828
Clothing boutique: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday-Friday (closed during lunch 12:00-1:00)

Elizabeth Freeman Center

43 Francis Avenue, Pittsfield
Space is limited, no drop offs – please call first at (413) 499-2425

May accept: hygiene products, some clothing, bags/purses, luggage, pots/pans

Who can’t use some help saving money on utility bills? Mass Save, a state organization dedicated to energy efficiency, has a local program, Community First Partnership, that can help you navigate their programs. There are no-cost energy assessments, 75-100% off cost of insulation, great deals on heat pumps, and more.

Learn more about what you might be eligible for at https://ener-g-save.org/take-action/.

To get help signing up, call (978) 300-6536 or sign yourself up at www.masssave.com/egs.

 

     Click image for PDF (Folleto en español)

Mass Save home assessment flyer

The mission of Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is “Empowering the Northern Berkshire region to enhance the quality of life through our efforts at connecting, convening, and supporting all facets of the community.”

The Northern Berkshire Community Resource Guide (Northern Berkshire Guia de Recursos Comunitarios) outlines local resources including food access sites, disability services, family services, housing, transportation, substance use support, youth services, and more. It is updated every two years.

BASIC Berkshires is a community resource for immigrants and their families.

Explore the resource directory, see upcoming events on the calendar, and read more on the bulletin board at www.basicberkshires.org.

 

four basic berkshires graphics in english, spanish, french and portuguese

Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones.

Assisted Living Massachusetts

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of assisted living in Massachusetts and highlights ways families can help fund their care expenses. The guide also takes a closer look at how costs compare across the state as well as how different types of care compare.

Memory Care

Memory care facilities provide those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia with care that is tailored to their unique needs.

This guide will cover the cost of memory care in Massachusetts, financial assistance options for paying for memory care, free memory care resources in the state, and a directory of memory care facilities in Massachusetts.

Save today for your child's tomorrow

Every child who is a Massachusetts resident is eligible to receive a $50 deposit into a U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan within one year of their birth or adoption.

Learn more about BabySteps Savings Plan.

View informational flyer and FAQs