Bristol County Savings Bank Commits $75,000 Grant to Bristol-Plymouth Regional School District

TAUNTON, MA, September 30, 2025 — Bristol County Savings Bank, through its Foundation, recently committed a grant totaling $75,000 to Bristol-Plymouth Regional School District in Taunton, Massachusetts. The multi-year donation is going towards the establishment of a fully operational food truck at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School in Taunton. The truck will be designed and serviced by students learning several trades and will then provide a real-life educational experience for students in the school’s Culinary Arts Program. Since the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 1996, more than $35.4 million has been committed to hundreds of different non-profits in the communities the Bank serves. In 2024, the Foundation awarded a record $2.9 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations.

“The food truck project is the latest example of the school’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and community engagement,” said Dr. Alexandre Magalhaes, Superintendent-Director of Bristol-Plymouth. “Our students won’t just be cooking meals—they’ll be servicing the electrical systems, refrigeration, applying custom graphics and learning how to operate a business. This is about giving them authentic, real-world experiences that prepare them for success while also giving back to the community that supports us. This project represents the very best of vocational education.” Dr. Magalhaes added that the school’s students live throughout the greater Taunton area, including Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Freetown, Middleborough, Raynham and Rehoboth, as well as Taunton.

“Within the past year we supported a successful food truck project at Taunton High School and knew firsthand the positive impact it can have on the students and the community so it didn’t take us long to get on board with Bristol-Plymouth’s food truck initiative,” said John Silva, President & CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and President of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation. “A key area of focus for our Foundation is education and literacy, so you can see why this partnership is a strong one. We all want to help develop hands-on learners and see them thrive in our community.”

Stage One of the project will be focused on the acquisition of the food truck, with Stage Two and Stage Three focused on the construction and installation. Students from multiple technical education programs at the school, including Electrical, HVAC, Collision Technology and Graphic Design, will contribute to designing and installing the truck’s necessary components, such as electrical wiring, refrigeration, cooking equipment, ventilation and exterior finishes. This cross-disciplinary approach will provide invaluable real-world experience while fostering collaboration among students.

Bristol County Savings Bank is an active supporter in the communities in which it serves. The Foundation was established in 1996 as part of the Bank’s 150^th Anniversary celebration. Its purpose is to fund needs that contribute to the economic and the social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Taunton/Attleboro region, the greater New Bedford/Dartmouth region, the greater Fall River region and greater Providence, Rhode Island region, with particular emphasis in the areas of education and literacy, economic development and housing for the low- to moderate-income population.

Our communities can count on us.

Discover how our team continues to make a difference in our communities.