The Hunger Commission provides food and logistical support free of charge to programs that support families and individuals in need. Program partners include established pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and Council on Aging centers.
Nearly all of the food distributed by the Hunger Commission is rescued from local food institutions that have overages of product they are unable to utilize or sell. We pick up food daily from these business and distribute to our program partners. If you are a vendor, farmer, or distributor looking to donate food, please contact Victoria at 508-994-9625 ext. 210.
We also increase the availability of a variety of healthy, fresh foods to vulnerable populations by distributing food grown at Sharing the Harvest Community Farm – a program of YMCA Southcoast, Dartmouth.
Annually, the Hunger Commission distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, and in 2020 due to the increased need and increased support for the program, the Hunger Commission distributed over 1.3 million pounds of food across the region.
Are you in need of food?
Click here to view a list of food pantries on the SouthCoast. You can also dial 2-1-1 for assistance.
The Hunger Commission has expanded its work in the last decade by leading initiatives to increase the access to food:
Mobile Market
Launched in 2015, Mobile Markets aim to increase access to fresh produce. Operated as a FREE farmer's market, residents are able to select the items and quantities right for their household.
We aim to serve working residents in need of food who are unable to go to a food pantry due to their work hours.
Markets operate from July to mid-October in New Bedford and Wareham and serve thousands of residents each season. The market is nearly all-volunteer run from July through mid-October. The produce distributed is donated primarily by Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. a program of YMCA Southcoast, Dartmouth.
Hunger Heroes
Each year, UWGNB hosts two Huger Hero events to engage volunteers, increase the conversation about food in our region, and package meals for families on the SouthCoast.
In the spring, Hunger Heroes focuses on students. Many students throughout Greater New Bedford rely on schools for their meals, and during school vacation weeks, many of them struggle with hunger. Each April, we work with the community to pack 1,000 backpacks filled with kid-friendly food and snacks. These backpacks are delivered to the school districts and then distributed to students in time for April vacation. Click here to get involved with Spring Hunger Heroes.
In the fall, Hunger Heroes focuses on Thanksgiving. Since 2015, UWGNB has hosted on the Saturday before Thanksgiving - which is also National Family Volunteer Day - volunteers gather to package 1,000 Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Packaged meals are distributed by the Hunger Commission to local partners in Greater New Bedford. Click here to get involved with Fall Hunger Heroes.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer at Hunger Heroes, Mobile Market, or with Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. Visit www.volunteersouthcoast.org to find volunteer opportunities.
Donate to the United Way’s Hunger Commission to further our work by clicking here.
Host a food drive at your business or with your friends & family!
Donate food that your company or business isn’t able to use. Contact Victoria at 508-994-9625 ext. 210 or vgrasela@unitedwayofgnb.org to talk more about how your company can support our work.
Need Assistance?
If you are in need of food, here are some resources that can help you access food in the region:
- Food Pantries - click here for a list of local food pantries and their hours
- Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) - If you receive SNAP benefits in MA, you are automatically enrolled in HIP. HIP puts money back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors - click here to find a local vendor.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - SNAP can help you expand your healthy food budget. Click here to learn more or to see if you are eligible.
Contact
Interested in learning more? Contact Victoria Grasela at vgrasela@unitedwayofgnb.org or 508-994-9625 ext. 210.