Message from the Cultural Council
A MESSAGE FROM THE SHEFFIELD CULTURAL COUNCIL
Every year the Sheffield Cultural Council funds about 25 projects in the arts, the humanities, and the environment that we believe will enrich the lives of our community. That is why we are especially grieved, in this challenging time of COVID-19, that most of our funded projects are in limbo or put off until next year. We greatly missed the Ashley Falls Memorial Day Parade and were so looking forward to The Sheffield Fair, just two of the events to be postponed. We hope that when gatherings are deemed safe that some of these programs will take place and we can once again enjoy and appreciate the talents of our local artists and educators. We all look forward to that day.
Meanwhile, we are heartened by several Sheffield organizations that quickly pivoted to ensure that folks in our community – from families with young children to the elderly – have access to food in this insecure time. This includes Christ Trinity Church, which through funding from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and United Way, delivers meals to seniors, The Sheffield Food Program operating the food pantry at the Congregational Church, and the Southern Berkshire Regional School District providing meals to students and their families with the generous support of The Marketplace and Sheffield neighbors.
This time of year the Council is typically starting to write our annual appeal letter in which we reach out to you, our neighbors, for your help in funding projects and supporting our work. This year is different. We will not be sending that letter. Instead, we encourage you, if you’re able, to contribute to the above-mentioned organizations that are providing critical and necessary help to those in need. If you can’t contribute financially, perhaps you can volunteer your time delivering a meal and a smile to a neighbor.
Thank you for everything you do. We look forward to seeing you around town, even if it’s just a wave from afar! Wishing you and your loved ones the best.
The Sheffield Cultural Council
Marcia Brolli, Gillian Hettinger, Brece Honeycutt, MaryEllen O’Brien, Paul O’Brien, Amy Rudnick, Hilary Russell, Hester Velmans, Abby Webster