The holiday season is always a time of reflection, generosity, and coming together - and this year, our community truly showed up for one another. From Thanksgiving through the end of December, neighbors, volunteers, partners, and donors helped ensure local families had food on the table, gifts under the tree, and moments of joy during a busy and often stressful time of year.
We kicked off the season with our Hunger Heroes Thanksgiving packaging, where volunteers came together to assemble 1,000 meals for local families. These meals helped ensure that households across our community could enjoy a nourishing Thanksgiving and focus on what matters most - time together.
As December arrived, the spirit of giving only grew stronger. Our 27th annual Toy Drive with local firefighters once again brought holiday magic to thousands of children. With the help of the New Bedford Fire Department, generous donors, and dozens of community collection sites, toys were gathered and distributed to 25 local partner organizations in time for the holidays - bringing smiles, excitement, and a sense of normalcy to families facing hardship. We are especially thankful for a generous grant from Senator Mark Montigny's Childrens Fund which allowed us to purchase gift cards to ensure teens in our community were not forgotten.
Another meaningful part of this season was our Holiday Wishes program with Fun 107 & WBSM, which helped fulfill specific wishes from individuals and families facing particularly difficult circumstances. From speciality medical equipment and household essentials to special items that brought comfort and joy, Holiday Wishes connected donors directly with the needs of their neighbors. Each fulfilled wish was a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact during the holidays. Read More
At the same time, Giving Trees hosted by local businesses filled offices, lobbies, and community spaces with generosity. Employees and customers selected gift tags, shopped for children and families, and returned thoughtful presents that helped make the holidays brighter for neighbors in need. We’re continually inspired by the commitment of our local companies who make this tradition possible.
New this year, we launched Festive Family Nights -a program designed to give families something just as important as gifts: time together. Each Festive Family Night kit included snacks, board games, and cozy pajamas, creating the opportunity for a simple night in filled with connection, laughter, and warmth during the busy holiday season.
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters. Your generosity of time, resources, and heart have helped turn a season that can be stressful for many into one filled with hope and joy.
As we look ahead to the new year, we carry this spirit of community with us. Thank you for being part of a holiday season that truly made a difference.