United Way Food Drive Aims to Feed Kids During April Break

Each year, the United Way of Greater New Bedford holds two food drives, one in November and the other in March. The fall Hunger Heroes campaign is dedicated to helping needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday. The spring campaign has a different goal: providing snack-type foods for kids during the April school vacation.

United Way’s Hunger Heroes Food Drop Returns

The spring edition of the Hunger Heroes Food Drop will be collecting donations on March 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside Aldi at the Dartmouth Mall. The United Way's Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, Victoria Grasela, visited Townsquare Sunday to explain how the food drive works.

READ MORE: Hunger Heroes Food Drop Helps Feed New Bedford Kids

Why the Food Drive Focuses on School Vacation Hunger

"We're always hearing about kids who rely on school for their primary meals," Grasela said. "But when school is closed for a vacation week, those kids are not really sure where their next meal is coming from."

"We're collecting food so we can make up 1,000 meal packs for kids. Those packs include easy to prep (or) low-prep items that you don't need a parent to prepare," she said.

What Food Donations Are Needed

The types of foods needed are cereal, peanut butter, jelly, dried fruit, applesauce cups, granola bars, pretzels, or any other kid-friendly snack. No glass bottles will be accepted.

A full list of items and ways to donate if you can't make it to the Hunger Heroes Food Drop can be found on the United Way of Greater New Bedford website.

How the Meal Packs Will Help SouthCoast Kids

The food packs will be assembled and then distributed to school districts throughout the SouthCoast, with school nurses and counselors identifying young people who may need this help the most.

Crowning a Champion

"We're trying to find our Hunger Heroes Champion this year, so weeks ago, we asked about 15 school groups, nonprofits and business groups to collect food items as well, and drop them off on the 21st at Aldi," Grasela said. "We have a trophy for the Hunger Hero Champion."

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s State of the City Will Support the Effort

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is also chipping in. Proceeds from ticket sales for the mayor's State of the City Address will go to United Way programs to fight food insecurity. The speech will take place April 8 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center.

READ MORE: New Bedford State of the City Address Gets New Venue and Mission

If you would like your nonprofit featured on Townsquare Sunday, please contact the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.