Let’s be honest—most of us have a pile of old bank statements, tax returns, and mystery paperwork somewhere in our homes that we’ve been meaning to deal with since, oh, 2015. Good news: Greylock Federal Credit Union is bringing back their wildly popular Shred Day on Saturday, May 16, and you can finally clear out that drawer of doom.
The free event runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the Berkshire United Way parking lot (that’s at the corner of South Street and Clinton Avenue in Pittsfield, for those taking notes). Just roll up with your boxes of personal documents, and Vital Shred will take care of the rest. No appointment needed, no awkward questions about why you still have pay stubs from 2008.
“Last year we shredded and recycled 8,000 pounds of paper,” says Jordyn Scace, Web Content Manager at Greylock. That’s roughly the weight of an adult elephant, if you’re keeping track. “People love this event. It’s a safe, easy way to securely dispose of personal documents while supporting a great cause.”
Here’s the even better part: the whole thing benefits Berkshire United Way’s local programs. While the shredding itself is free, there’s a suggested $5 donation per box. Every dollar goes straight to supporting Berkshire families, so you’re essentially Marie Kondo-ing your life and giving back to your community at the same time.
“We are thrilled to again partner with Greylock Federal Credit Union to offer a free Shred Day,” explains Katherine von Haefen, BUW president and CEO. “This is a frequently requested service by our community. We are especially grateful to participants who provide a donation to support Berkshire United Way and our work to build a thriving future for Berkshire families.”
One important heads-up: this event is for personal documents only. Business papers aren’t allowed, so leave those quarterly reports at the office.
Mark your calendars for May 16 and start hunting down those outdated credit card offers. Your filing cabinet will thank you.