Service-Learning in Action: BHMA’s 2026 Food & Supply Drive Exceeds Expectations

Service-learning at Berkshire Hills Music Academy is about more than giving back—it’s about connection, teamwork, and learning how individual efforts can make a meaningful impact in the community.

This year, all Service-Learning classes came together to support our annual Food & Supply Drive, building on the success of last year’s project. Students played an active role in every step of the process: spreading the word, collecting donations, sorting items by organization, checking expiration dates, packing boxes, and delivering donations. Our Wednesday and Friday groups even helped transport the donations directly to their destinations.

The goal for 2026 was ambitious—to match last year’s collection for Neighbors Helping Neighbors while also expanding the drive to benefit Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center. While we weren’t sure how the expansion would impact results, the outcome exceeded all expectations.

2026 Food & Supply Drive Results

• Neighbors Helping Neighbors:234 pounds of food and personal hygiene products collected

• Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center:328 items including food, toys, supplies, and treats

  
  

For comparison, during our first drive in December 2024, 225 pounds of food were collected for Neighbors Helping Neighbors alone. This year’s totals not only surpassed that benchmark, but extended our reach to support animals in need as well.

Beyond the numbers, students shared how meaningful—and fun—it was to work together toward a shared goal. The experience reinforced the importance of community responsibility and showed just how powerful collective action can be.

On behalf of our Service-Learning students and staff, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in the BHMA community who donated, supported, and encouraged this project. Your generosity made this experience—and its impact—possible.