Each year, the United Way of Greater New Bedford organizes two important food drives. One happens in November, just in time for Thanksgiving, while the other takes place in March. The spring campaign is a special effort to provide children with snacks during their school vacations.
The next Hunger Heroes Food Drop is set for March 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aldi by the Dartmouth Mall. Victoria Grasela, the United Way’s Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, shared that the goal is to create 1,000 meal packs for kids. These packs include easy-to-prepare snacks so that kids can help themselves.
“Many kids depend on school for meals,” Grasela explained. “When school’s out, they often wonder where their next meal will come from.” The meals will be distributed to local schools, with support from school nurses and counselors, who will identify children in need.
What’s Needed?
The food drive is looking for kid-friendly items. Popular choices include cereal, peanut butter, jelly, dried fruit, applesauce cups, granola bars, and pretzels. Glass containers aren’t acceptable for safety reasons. If you can’t attend the event but still want to help, a full donation list can be found on the United Way of Greater New Bedford’s website.
Community Involvement
This year, the United Way is introducing a “Hunger Hero Champion.” Various school groups, nonprofits, and local businesses are collecting food to help with the drive. There’s even a trophy for the champion collector!
New Bedford’s Mayor Jon Mitchell is also supporting this effort. Proceeds from ticket sales to his State of the City Address on April 8 will benefit United Way programs aimed at reducing food insecurity.
Food insecurity is a pressing issue. According to a recent report by Feeding America, more than 38 million Americans faced hunger in 2020. In New Bedford, local initiatives like this food drive play a critical role in helping families access essential resources.
In summary, the Hunger Heroes Food Drop is a vital community effort to ensure that kids don’t go hungry during school breaks. Every contribution counts, and it’s a chance for everyone to come together for a great cause.
Source link
articles,giving
