Saturday

Jan 5, 2019 at 9:25 PM


FALL RIVER — As the colder months approach, those in need will be able to find a hot meal, in part thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to the Prince Henry Society's annual holiday food drive. The event provided funds and food to pantries and soup kitchens in Greater Fall River.

“Witnessing people line up on a rainy Saturday morning at a local food pantry to collect food to help by get for a week is a shocking and sobering experience,” Prince Henry Society President Robert C. Medeiros said. “Realizing that the need is still great, motivates us to do everything we can to better our community.”

And the community responded. This year, Prince Henry Society members collected a total of $2,610 — an increase of $810 from the 2017 food drive. In addition, the group collected a total weight of 2,095 pounds of food, which was 1,125 pounds more than last year.

“We challenged ourselves to improve over last year’s collection of food and donations, and we did it with the help of the community,” Joe Borges said. He chairs the society’s Humanitarian and Relief Committee with Michelle Orlando.

The event is also sponsored by Radio Voz do Emigrante and was held at Portugalia Marketplace and Seabra Supermarket in Fall River. Borges stressed the support of Radio Voz do Emigrante host Frank Baptista and the owners of the two markets was outstanding and appreciated.

Donations of $350 were made to St. Michael’s Soup Kitchen, St. Bernadette’s Soup Kitchen, Holy Trinity’s Soup Kitchen, St. Anne’s Food Pantry, the Veterans Association, and The Holiday Fund at The Herald News. The balance will be used by the committee as needs arise in 2019.

Although the food drive is over, the society continues to accept tax-deductible donations via mail on the group’s website, phsfr.org.

“As long as there are people in need, the Prince Henry Society will be there to help,” Medeiros said.

The mission of the Prince Henry Society is to promote the civic, cultural, economic, educational and social betterment of individuals of Portuguese descent. However, the society realizes that the need extends beyond the Portuguese community, and pledges to work for the betterment of all those in need.

Each year the group also awards scholarships to local high school students. Applications will be available in school guidance offices at Fall River area high schools in the spring.