The goal of The Berry Fund is to respond to the immediate needs
of others and to participate in events that provide hope and assistance
for those in need. The Berry Fund aims to rid our communities of
hunger, abuse, neglect, illiteracy, illness, and more by taking
a proactive approach in connecting the hands of community and goodwill.
Whether hosting bone marrow drives or supplying books to schools,
The Berry Fund helps bring people closer to happier and healthier
lives.
Inspiring Stories
 FRESH START
A family living in Section 8 housing in New Hampshire's Seacoast, lost their father and major breadwinner to leukemia earlier this year. To compound the stress of mental anguish, medical costs and lack of income, the family lost their home to a fire from faulty wiring in early November. The mother and her eight children are being helped by a local group called Fresh Start, which helps support local families in this kind of distress once the 48 hours of Red Cross assistance is over. Fresh Start found them temporary housing and provided them with some basic necessities like clothing and food. After a long search fraught with let-downs, the family found another Section 8 house, although in poor condition. The Berry Fund joined Fresh Start's efforts. To help the family during the holiday season, we provided the family with new clothing and necessary household items as well as a toy for each of the children.
NORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER
The Northampton Survival Center is an emergency food pantry which provides low-income individuals and families in 16 Massachusetts communities with free food, clothing, household goods, and referrals for emergency assistance. The Center distributes about 2,000 pounds of food in nutritionally-balanced food boxes every weekday. This season, the center is experiencing a record number of new people asking for help to put food on their tables. One beneficiary stated it very directly, "Food is very important. My refrigerator is crying out…Times are tough!" Many are finding themselves in this situation for the first time. " For years I used to donate, and now I'm in line looking for food."
The Berry Fund assists the Survival Center by providing them with money to purchase food to feed more than 45 families each day. Those who volunteer make it a "joyful place, flourishing with community support." For some, it is the only place they can turn to. "If it weren't for the Survival Center, lots of people would be lost….I never leave empty handed. Sometimes I'm moved to tears by how grateful I am."
BERRY EMPLOYEE'S GRANDSON
At age two, Nathaniel was rushed to the hospital, unresponsive. Up until that day he was a happy, active, and loving 2 year old boy. Nathan suffered from a massive brain bleed (AVM). As a result he suffered 4 large strokes that have left him unable to see, talk, support his body, or move most of his body voluntarily. He is also fed through a feeding tube that is in is belly. Nathan relies on constant care from his family as well as healthcare providers, which is very expensive. In addition, the cost for supplies, medical equipment and home modifications is enormous. Insurance covers only a portion of the long list of necessary equipment, which includes various devices to help him sit up with his siblings, help him move, teach him how to hold his head, and help him put support on his legs and body. There is also other medical equipment from diapers and feeding supplies that are also not fully covered by insurance.
To help Nathan make the best possible recovery, The Berry Fund offered assistance in purchasing therapeutic equipment. The family bought a therapy pool but needed decking around it. A local contractor donated the labor, and The Berry Fund donated the supplies, which totaled $3000. An additional $3000 was spent by The Berry Fund to purchase all of the necessary physical therapy equipment so that Nathan and his family could continue his rehabilitation.
ONE FAMILY'S FIGHT WITH CANCER
Peggy and Keith Noval, and 3-year old Maxwell learned five days before the birth of their baby, Quinn, that Peggy had stage 3 breast cancer. Her doctor had known about the lump for months but thought it was a blocked milk duct. At 9 months pregnant, she could not receive treatment. Peggy endured 6 courses of chemotherapy and underwent surgery. Their medical team at Scripps Hospital in San Diego is among the nation's best, but each round-trip is 140 miles, medical expenses are high and their family is 3,000 miles away.
The employees of Berry put forth their support by donating a total of $3,000. Berry's Chairman and CEO Peter Campot and Chief Information Officer Kevin Noval both matched the employee fundraising amount for a total donation of $9,000 to the Noval family.
Peggy continues her fight with the utmost grace and strength. The help and support of friends and family help carry her through. We wish her all the best in her battle with cancer.
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