Immigrant’s Assistance Center Donating Turkey Meals

NEW BEDFORD - With Thanksgiving just days away, the Immigrants Assistance Center in New Bedford has been doing their part to provide turkeys to immigrants in need.

The initiative was made possible by a $2,500 donation from Bay State Wind, who donated the same amount to United Way New Bedford for the same effort in the south end.

Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center Helena DaSilva Hughes says that her office has been taking in applications for turkeys since the end of October.

“We didn't know how many turkey baskets we were going to need,” Hughes said. “So we were very fortunate that we had 205 families that we were able to provide a turkey meal.”

Hughes also says the work is far from over as the waitlist of families continues to grow as the holiday nears. She says it's common for families call the center for food until the last minute.

“Right now we have 25 families on waiting lists, so it's actually going to be closer to 230 families by the time we'll be done,” Hughes explained. “But that's just today, we always get families calling us at the last minute.”

If anybody from the public is interested in donating, Hughes says the center is open every day until Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the Immigrants Assistance Center and United Way, the Portuguese American Police Association also distributed turkey meals to immigrants in need.