New Bedford’s Mobile Ministries Offers Food, Clothing to Those in Need

Mobile Ministries, formerly known as Mobile Loaves and Fishes, has been feeding and clothing New Bedford's homeless and needy population for 17 years. The program's one truck is on the road six days a week, making several stops each day.

The program works out of St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Kempton Street. George Bailey, the program's director, stopped by Townsquare Sunday to talk about Mobile Ministries and what it does in the community.

Serving 50,000 Meals Annually

Bailey estimates that Mobile Ministries serves just over 50,000 meals a year. He believes the housing crisis in New Bedford has left many people without a roof over their heads and in need of help.

Preparing for the Impact of a SNAP Freeze

Bailey also expects to see more people at the food truck if the government shutdown continues and the freeze on SNAP benefits lingers on.

"There will probably be a surge in the next couple of weeks, until this thing gets settled," he said.

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If the shutdown does persist, Bailey said he has a plan to make sure the homeless can move to the front of the line.

"I will give them a card that they can sign, and make a separate list of all the names so I can keep track," he said. "There are a lot of poor people in New Bedford who are not necessarily homeless. I want to make sure that homeless people get first dibs, because they are the people this ministry is really for."

Volunteer-Powered and Church-Supported

Bailey said the Mobile Ministries organization is entirely run by volunteers, including himself.

"About a dozen churches, of all faiths, work with us," he said. "We have about 100 volunteers preparing food, sorting clothing, loading the truck, and going out into the community."

How You Can Help

If you would like to assist Mobile Ministries with its work, it is accepting monetary donations through its GoFundMe campaign. Clothing donations can be made at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Kempton Street in New Bedford.

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