United Way Hunger Commission Truck Vandalized in New Bedford

From the Mobile Market to the Hunger Heroes event, United Way of Greater New Bedford has done so much in the community to fight hunger.

"United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Hunger Commission is the only local program that coordinates food distribution to emergency food pantries and kitchens, working with locations throughout Bristol and Plymouth Counties to alleviate hunger in the region. Annually, the Hunger Commission distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food - including fresh, locally grown produce - to local programs for those in need. As a leading statewide advocate on hunger issues, we are responsible for managing Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding for Bristol County." - United Way of Greater New Bedford

That's probably what makes this news so terrible. What a senseless and disgusting act of vandalism to fall upon an organization that does so much to help others.

"Each year, our Hunger Commission rescues and delivers food throughout the SouthCoast. This morning, we learned that the truck had been vandalized overnight. Windows and mirrors on the truck were smashed, preventing us from continuing our important work this week. Please contact us if you have any information relating to the incident."

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 lot by New Bedford High School.

“While this incident is disappointing, it won’t slow us down. We are fortunate to have wonderful partners that lend support when we need it. While the truck is being repaired, PACE is allowing us to borrow their truck to continue with our daily activity to ensure our food deliveries happen. We are so thankful for them.”

Grasela mentioned that one of PACE’s trucks also had damage to their front windshield, and they park in the same lot.

We've personally worked with the United Way Hunger Commission through volunteering at Mobile Market events and hosting our own Hunger Heroes Food Drop to collect items that we donate to the main event before Thanksgiving. We are so incredibly disappointed to see those photos.