NORTH ADAMS - Berkshire Helping Hands volunteers are delivering dozens of supply packages to people in need each week during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So many people that had never asked for help before were really in need of some aid, so we all just got together and just put together some packages and started delivering them,” said Marilyn Honig, Founder of Berkshire Helping Hands.

Honig says they started collecting hard-to-find items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer back in March, but now, as businesses reopen, the most needed item is cloth face masks.

“We just put out an appeal out there, and we just had a wonderful response. There’s so many people out there making masks and they’re just pouring in. As soon as they get here, we distribute them.”

The group has made more than 400 deliveries since the pandemic began. Honig says it exposed the difficulties many people in the North County face on a daily basis.

“There is a need to fill in the gaps and make sure that no one falls through the cracks, that we try to reach as many of the vulnerable population as we possibly can,” said Honig.

Berkshire Helping Hands just received its 501-3C nonprofit status this year and secured office space at the Beaver Mill in North Adams this month.

Honig says having a more central organization will better help them meet the needs of the community.

“We’ve just been growing kind of slowly, we don’t want to over-extend ourselves, but it’s just been a natural progression and it’s just been wonderful to witness just all the support in the community and we’re very grateful.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer or donate to Berkshire Helping Hands can find out more information on the Berkshire Helping Hands Charity Page on Facebook.