The events removed 116 firearms from the streets of the SouthCoast
On November 23 in Fall River and New Bedford, the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement and the respective city’s Police Departments held “Guns for Groceries”. The program offered Market Basket gift cards and Domino’s pizza coupons for guns. This year, 116 firearms and large amounts of ammunition were collected in the cities.
“I am proud of this successful and collaborative effort by the university, local police departments and faith organizations to make a real difference in our region,” said Dr. Matthew Roy, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Career and Civic Engagement.
The program was inspired by the late Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence who has orchestrated numerous gun giveback programs in Southeastern Massachusetts, removing more than 3,300 guns from the streets.
“For 25 years, my husband was committed to making our communities safer by initiating the guns for groceries program,” said Elizabeth Duffy, Assistant General Counsel, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and wife of the late Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence. “I am proud of what my husband stood for and thrilled that UMass Dartmouth values his ideals and is continuing this important program.”