United Way’s Hunger Heroes Returns to Feed New Bedford-Area Families

Organizers at the United Way of Greater New Bedford are hoping people will come through in a big way for its 2025 Hunger Heroes food campaign.

Victoria Grasela, the United Way's Vice-President of Marketing and Community Engagement, said the government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits are causing phones in United Way offices to ring off the hook.

What Is the Hunger Heroes Campaign?

Grasela stopped by Townsquare Sunday to talk about food insecurity issues, and the 11th Annual Hunger Heroes Food Drop outside Aldi at the Dartmouth Mall.

"This is our 11th year of doing this, and what we're hoping to do is package 1,000 Thanksgiving meals to needy families right here in Greater New Bedford," Grasela said.

How to Donate or Get Involved

People are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items like mashed potato mix, gravy, stuffing mix, vegetables and cranberry sauce (no glass bottles, please) on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Aldi.

The Food Drop on November 15 is just one part of the campaign. Grasela said the Hunger Heroes campaign actually starts in late summer when the United Way lines up 40 local schools, businesses and nonprofits to collect food, which is donated to Hunger Heroes.

"We try to make it as easy as possible for you to donate food," Grasela said. "Volunteers will be on hand on the 15th at Aldi in Dartmouth to take the food right out of your car. You don't even have to get out."

"We just want to encourage people to give what they can, and help these families who are struggling now, more than ever," she said.

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If you don’t already have donations, Aldi will have the needed items available for purchase. If you can't make it on November 15, you can purchase items virtually through the United Way of Greater New Bedford's Amazon Wishlist.

Where the Donations Go

The following week, dozens of volunteers will load the food into baskets along with a $25 gift card. The baskets will then be delivered to at least 10 food pantries in the area for distribution to families in need.

Special thanks to First Citizens Federal Credit Union, Aaron Pools and Spas, Care Free Homes Company and Goulart Square Bakery for sponsoring the Hunger Heroes Food Drop on WBSM and Fun 107.

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