Westport’s Village Market Aims to Stock the Pantry at New Life SouthCoast

New Life SouthCoast Church in New Bedford constantly gives back to the community and aims to better the lives of those who need a helping hand. Its food pantry is used by anyone who needs it, and a Westport business owner is doing her part to keep that pantry fully stocked year-round.

Samantha Medeiros of Village Market in Westport is a member of New Life and hopes to give back to the church that has brought happiness to her family.

Here’s how to help Medeiros stock the pantry at New Life.

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Meet Samantha Medeiros, Owner of Village Market

Westport native Samantha Medeiros worked in the restaurant industry for fifteen years. Just over two years ago, she was presented with the opportunity to purchase the Village Market with her mother, Helena, and it proved to be a perfect match.

“To me, this was the calmer version of the restaurant industry,” she said.

Medeiros and her mother work side by side at the market, selling prepared foods, fresh seafood, meats, beer, wine, and Portuguese imported goods.

For Medeiros, owning a business is more than just selling products. Whenever she can get the Village Market involved in giving back to the community, she jumps right in.

“I really try to use our business as a platform to help people that need it,” she said. “I may not help millions, but I want to help as many people as I can in the community.”

When she discovered New Life SouthCoast a few months ago, it wasn’t long before she started brainstorming ways how to give back to the church.

Help Stock the Pantry at New Life SouthCoast

Back in September, Medeiros and her family found New Life and they haven’t missed a Sunday Service since.

“Over the past few months, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to help them (because) they do so much for the community,” shared Medeiros. With her loyal customers at Village Market, it seemed like a no-brainer to collect items for the church’s pantry.

“Every Thursday, New Life opens the door to their food pantry to local people in need and I want to help keep that pantry nice and full,” said Medeiros.

The community is encouraged to drop off non-perishable items at Village Market at 151 State Road in Westport Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6:30 pm, or Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm.

"Our customers are so great about getting behind great causes...with their help, I hope to make a difference for New Life," said Medeiros.

For more details on how to help New Life SouthCoast, visit the church online.