Hunger Heroes Food Drop Is April 5 in Dartmouth

The United Way of Greater New Bedford continues to address hunger and food security issues here on the SouthCoast.

Its latest effort, the Hunger Heroes Spring Food Drop, will happen on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the ALDI store in the Dartmouth Mall.

United Way Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement Victoria Grasela joined Townsquare Sunday to talk about the food drive and how you can help.

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Several years ago, the United Way decided to build on the success of its fall food drive and start a spring version that would cater to children who are unable to access healthy meals during school vacation week.

"For many children, schools are the place where they get healthy, nourishing meals," Grasela said. "What we're doing is packing 1,000 bags of low-prep, no-prep food items, so kids can have something to eat during school vacation week."

If you would like to donate food, please consider items such as:

• Cereal
• Macaroni and cheese
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Granola bars
• Fruit and applesauce cups
• Trail mix
• Kid-friendly snacks such as dried fruit and pretzels

Donations can be dropped off on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the ALDI supermarket at the Dartmouth Mall. Please, no glass bottles or jars.

You can also walk into ALDI purchase your groceries and make your donation on the way out.

If you can't make it to the food drop, you can donate electronically through Amazon.  Visit the United Way's Hunger Heroes Food Drop page for more information.

The food bags will be put together on April 12 by 150 volunteers, and then transported to area school districts where they will be distributed to needy families and kids before school vacation week.

"A couple of years ago we spoke with people at New Bedford Public Schools, and they said they had about 1,000 kids who were couch surfing at a friend's house or were going home to no food at the end of the day," Grasela said. "We want to help these kids, and make sure they have a full belly so they can go on to have a successful life. "

If you would like your organization or charity featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.