How You Can Get Free Produce and Community Grants in Greater New Bedford This Summer

The United Way of Greater New Bedford is highlighting two successful programs this summer. One is Changemaker Grants, the other is Mobile Markets.

Victoria Grasela, the United Way's Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, stopped by Townsquare Sunday this week to get the word out about both programs. Neither program is new, but both are important to area communities.

$2,500 Changemaker Grants: Funding Neighborhood Improvement Ideas

The United Way has been handing out small grants (no more than $2,500) to organizations, community groups and individuals for 30 years. Changemaker Grants continue that tradition.

"We're looking for people to come up with ideas to improve their city, change their neighborhood," Grasela said. "These grants are for organizations with budgets under $40,000, or just a group of friends coming up with an idea. Over the years, we have funded hundreds of projects in the community, like Little Libraries, neighborhood cleanups, community murals, and so on."

You can apply for a Changemaker Grant by visiting unitedwayofgnb.org. Applications are now being accepted through August 17.

United Way of Greater New Bedford via Facebook

Free Local Produce: How Mobile Markets Fight Rising Grocery Costs

Mobile Markets is currently in its 12th season, operating in New Bedford and Wareham, making fresh, locally grown produce available free of charge to local families and individuals.

Schedule and Pre-Registration for New Bedford and Wareham Markets

The program operates Tuesdays in Wareham and Thursdays in New Bedford, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. both days.

"Mobile Markets is actually one of my favorite programs," Grasela said. "All of the produce that we give out is grown at the Share the Harvest Farm in Dartmouth, which is part of the YMCA Southcoast."

"Last Tuesday night, for instance, we served more than 100 families in Wareham, providing them with vegetables like summer squash, kale, cucumbers and tomatoes," she said.

People looking to take part in the program are being asked to pre-register on the United Way website.

Grasela said Mobile Markets are attracting big numbers in both Wareham and New Bedford. "It just shows what the need is there," she said. "People are coming out to get fresh food, they want to eat healthier, and it is so expensive at the grocery store, so it's a great way to get healthy food in their hands."

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