Food insecurity continues to rise across Massachusetts, with nearly 1 in 3 adults struggling to afford enough nutritious food. Many families are being forced to choose between groceries, rent, and medicine. Locally, food pantries, meal sites, and food banks are experiencing unprecedented demand—especially from seniors, children, and working families.
In response, United Way of Greater New Bedford is proud to announce $200,600 in grants awarded to 30 local food programs, helping ensure our neighbors have access to food during this critical time.
This investment is part of the statewide United Response Fund, launched by United Ways across Massachusetts in November. In just 45 days, the fund raised $7.25 million to support emergency food assistance amid SNAP benefit disruptions.
We are grateful for the strong local support from partners like Bristol County Savings Bank, Island Foundation, and our generous individual donors who make this work possible.
Beyond grantmaking, United Way of Greater New Bedford operates the Hunger Commission, a food rescue and delivery program serving more than 30 local pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and Council on Aging centers. The Hunger Commission focuses on securing food for local partners while increasing access to healthy, nutritious options, prioritizing fresh produce, dairy, and other wholesome foods.
One of its key initiatives is the Mobile Market, which delivers free, fresh fruits and vegetables to vulnerable neighborhoods. From July through October, UWGNB partners with YMCA Southcoast and the Sharing the Harvest Farm Project to host markets twice weekly in New Bedford’s north and south ends and in Wareham.
UWGNB also hosts two annual Hunger Heroes service events, engaging more than 200 volunteers to assemble meal packs for families in need. In the fall, volunteers package Thanksgiving meals, often paired with a turkey or gift card. In the spring, they assemble kid-friendly meal and snack packs to support students during school breaks. Food for these events is provided through corporate food drives and community donations.
With ongoing federal nutrition funding cuts and reduced food availability from the Greater Boston Food Bank, this year has been especially challenging. The Hunger Commission is operating at full capacity and depends on continued community support to distribute 350,000–500,000 pounds of food each year.