Dartmouth Aldi Will Host Spring Hunger Heroes Food Drop March 23

The United Way of Greater New Bedford conducts two food drives each year, and staff members at WBSM and FUN 107 are excited to take part each time. The next food drop is Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Aldi parking lot at the Dartmouth Mall.

Victoria Grasela, the United Way's Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, joined Townsquare Sunday to help get the word out.

"We started the springtime edition of the food drop about four years ago," Grasela said. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of kids in our community who get breakfast and lunch in school, but when the schools are not open, like during spring vacation, those children may be struggling to find something to eat."

Grasela said the United Way's goal is to put together 1,000 "kid meal packs" to provide young people with something to eat during vacation week.

"We're looking for donations of things like mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, granola bars, cereal and fruit cups," Grasela said. "Folks can just drive by on the 23rd and make their donations."

The snack packs will be distributed prior to school vacation week by area school departments.

The United Way is also collecting food items at 17 sites throughout the area, and donors can also visit amazon.com to donate food as well. Visit unitedwayofgnb.org for more info.

"There are so many people struggling right now, and this is a great way to help your neighbors," Grasela said.

Townsquare Sunday is a community affairs program airing Sundays on WBSM.

The program highlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.