Community Programs
YMCA Southcoast provides inclusive community support. Families with a contractor voucher receive membership and Child Watch. Food access includes the Full Plate Project, Sharing the Harvest, and seasonal drives. Community services include clothing support, Purpose Locker, transitional housing memberships, and the New Bedford Connect event. Safety Around Water builds kids’ confidence. Senior offerings promote active aging. Some branches offer free showers, toiletries, and warming or cooling spaces.
Food Access
YMCA Southcoast expands food access through the Full Plate Project and Sharing the Harvest Community Farm, delivering nutritious groceries and fresh produce to anyone in need. Community markets are open to all, require only basic household information, and operate first come, first served with prepackaged fresh, frozen, and pantry items.
Launched in 2020 with the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Full Plate Project distributed 1,345,114 pounds of food in 2024, equal to about 1,120,928 meals, serving 34,710 households and 95,234 individuals, and has provided more than 5.5 million pounds since inception. Sharing the Harvest is a volunteer powered farm that has donated over 547,000 pounds of produce, supported by 64,000 volunteer hours and 25,000 visits, and advances nutrition security, community service, and hands on education.
The Full Plate Project is YMCA Southcoast’s year-round food access program, launched in April 2020 with the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Sharing the Harvest Community Farm is a collaboration between the Dartmouth YMCA and the United Way of New Bedford’s Hunger Commission.
Community Based Services
YMCA Southcoast’s community-based services provide practical help where it’s needed most. Offerings include Purpose Lockers in Fall River, free showers at branches in New Bedford and Fall River, and memberships for residents in transitional housing.
We partner with United Way to expand food access through Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. We support clothing needs via Walt’s Mobile Closet at Gleason and at the Annual NB Connect event hosted at the NB Y. These services reduce barriers to basic needs so individuals and families can stay healthy, stable, and connected.
Keep an eye out for postings from your local branch about upcoming food and winter coat drives that are run throughout the year.
Senior Programs include socially engaging, total body, low impact workouts.
YMCA Southcoast provides a safe space, a shower, a friendly conversation, and a community of hope a belonging to everyone who walks through our doors.