New Bedford Vandalism Targets United Way Hunger Commission Truck

United Way of Greater New Bedford has done so much in the community to fight hunger. So to find out that the Hunger Commission truck has been vandalized for the second time in less than three years is extremely disappointing.

Victoria Grasela is the Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement for United Way of Greater New Bedford and she told WBSM that they park the Hunger Commission truck in a space donated to the organization.

“Our team showed up this morning to pick up the Hunger Commission truck and quickly found the truck had been broken into,” Grasela said. “Both the driver and passenger side windows had been smashed and the front tire was flat. Inside the cab, everything has been gone through and the tools were all stolen from our toolbox. The fuse box cover was taken off, but we can’t tell if any of the fuses were removed. We’ll find out once the truck is assessed at the shop. It appears they tried to get into the back of the truck but were unsuccessful.”

A police report was filed with the New Bedford Police Department earlier today. The truck was towed this afternoon in order to assess all the damage and determine how long it will take to fix it.

The timing of this vandalism is especially difficult as United Way begins its annual holiday programs, providing Thanksgiving meals to local families in need. The Hunger Commission truck plays a pivotal role in collecting and distributing donated food items. Our own Hunger Heroes Food Drop event will be impacted by this act on Saturday, November 12.

United Way will need to rent a box truck for the foreseeable future in order to continue the important work of bringing food to SouthCoast residents in need.

Please contact United Way of Greater New Bedford if you have any information relating to the incident.