DARTMOUTH - My Brother’s Keeper will be sponsoring a “pop your trunk” no-contact food drive at its Dartmouth facility located at 1015 Reed Road from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20.
Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles and pop their trunk while staff and volunteers safely remove donated non-perishable food items. My Brother’s Keeper is particularly in need of: canned vegetables, canned fruit, tuna, cereal, pasta, mac and cheese, rice, and peanut butter.
To help encourage a strong turnout, corporate partner MassDrive Insurance Group has offered to donate $5 for every non-perishable item donated, up to $5,000. MassDrive.com quickly provides multiple online quotes from leading insurance companies in Massachusetts.
Historically, My Brother's Keeper has provided furniture to local families in need. The charity suspended its Furniture Assistance Program in March because of COVID-19 and devoted all their efforts to making no-contact emergency food deliveries.
The organization has provided food assistance to Brockton-area residents for 25 years from its Easton facility but launched a new food program at its Dartmouth facility this spring to respond to the surge in demand for food assistance on the South Coast.
Over the last 12 weeks, the organization has quadrupled their food deliveries to help those affected by COVID-19. From March 10th – June 1st, My Brother's Keeper made 4,532 emergency food deliveries worth an estimated $838,000 to 19,189 children and adults.
Each food delivery includes a hefty box of non-perishables along with milk, juice, eggs, butter, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables plus toilet paper and paper towels. Average retail value per delivery is $185.
“This program not only delivers much needed food, but also peace of mind,” said Josh Smith, Director of the Dartmouth Facility. “So many of the families we serve are high-risk because of preexisting health issues and they rely on public transportation. It’s not safe for them to leave the house. This service has been a lifeline for many in our community.”
My Brother's Keeper provides all services free of charge and relies solely on private donations. As a Christian charity, they do not receive any local, state, or federal funding.
Food assistance is available to all residents in need in Fall River, New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Westport. To request assistance, please contact the My Brother’s Keeper Helpline at 774-305-4590. Requests are taken Monday through Friday between 11 and 1 p.m., with same or next day delivery.
To donate or learn more about getting involved with My Brother’s Keeper, visit www.MyBrothersKeeper.org or call 774-305-4577.