The United Way of Greater New Bedford is stepping up to tackle hunger in our community. Their latest initiative, the Hunger Heroes Spring Food Drop, will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at the ALDI store in the Dartmouth Mall.
Victoria Grasela, the Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, shared insights about this important food drive during a recent interview. This spring food drive started a few years ago, building on the success of the organization’s fall food collection. It specifically helps children who often miss out on healthy meals during school vacations.
Grasela emphasized the importance of schools as a source of nourishment for many kids. “For many children, schools are the place where they get healthy, nourishing meals,” she explained. To meet this need, volunteers will pack 1,000 bags filled with easy-to-prepare food items. These bags will ensure that children have nutritious options during their time off from school.
If you’re looking to contribute, here are some suggested items to donate:
- Cereal
- Macaroni and cheese
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
- Granola bars
- Fruit and applesauce cups
- Trail mix
- Kid-friendly snacks like dried fruit and pretzels
You can drop off donations on April 5 at ALDI, or grab some groceries and add your donations when you check out. If you can’t make it in person, you can still help by donating online through Amazon. For more details, visit the United Way’s Hunger Heroes Food Drop page.
On April 12, about 150 volunteers will pack these food bags, which will then be delivered to local schools for distribution to families in need right before the school vacation week. Grasela recounted a conversation with the New Bedford Public Schools, revealing that they identified around 1,000 kids who go home to no food each day. “We want to help these kids. We want to make sure they have full bellies so they can succeed,” she said.
Understanding the scale of food insecurity can be eye-opening. According to the USDA, 10.5% of households in the U.S. experienced food insecurity at some point in 2021, showing that many families struggle to access basic nutrition. Efforts like the food drop are crucial in bridging this gap, especially for children whose growth and success depend on proper nourishment.
Let’s work together to support this vital cause.
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