Winter Vacation Holiday Food Resources
This year, many of the sites that serve meals during school breaks are closed for the entire two week vacation, putting added stress on families that rely on school meals. We’ve compiled a list of places where families and individuals can get food help on Christmas and during the winter break.
Food Pantries and Resources in Worcester
You can also check our Food Finder page for info about food pantries and other food resources that are always available. The info is divided into two tabs – one for Worcester County Food Bank agency partners, and one for resources that are not part of the WCFB network, so be sure to check both tabs for complete info.
Holiday Meals
Catholic Charities – Bishop’s Holiday Dinner – Meal Delivery
Contact: 508-798-0191 for more info
These meals are delivered to home-bound elders and physically disabled individuals who would otherwise be without a holiday meal.
Service Area: Worcester and surrounding towns
Location: Holiday meals delivered from 10 Hammond Street, Worcester, MA 01610
Hours: Christmas Day morning
Contact: 508-798-0191
Volunteer Hotline: 508-860-2240
Bishop’s Holiday Dinner – Community Meal
Contact: 508-798-0191 for more info
We provide Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners with the Bishop at St. Paul Cathedral for people who would otherwise be alone on these holidays. Catholic Charities volunteers serve the noontime sit-down dinner to those with access to transportation at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in downtown Worcester.
Service Area: Worcester County
Location: St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Hours: Christmas Day at 12pm
Contact: 508-798-0191
Volunteer Hotline: 508-860-2240
Mint Bar & Kitchen
Mint Bar & Kitchen will be continuing their Annual Free Holiday Meal for the community! Everyone is welcome—whether you’re in need, looking to connect with your neighbors, or simply want to share in the joy of the holidays.
Date: Tuesday, December 24th
Time: 12pm-3pm
Location: Mint Kitchen and Bar
Meal: Xíu Mại Platter (Vietnamese pork or chicken meatballs in tomato sauce served with a baguette) 🧆🥖
Mutual Aid Worcester (Facebook Group)
While the group isn’t sponsoring a single effort, there are likely to be community members who will be cooking and sharing who are Christmas plates on the holiday. In addition, community members in need are encouraged to post asking for help or to scan the page over the course of the day, as members frequently make posts offering extra helpings from their own kitchens.
Location: Online – www.facebook.com/groups/MutualAidWorcester
New Members: If you are not already a member of MAW, please submit a membership request. Be sure to answer the question AND agree to the group rules.
Vacation Food Pantries and Food Resources
St. John’s Food for the Poor Soup Kitchen
St. John’s Food for the Poor serves a hot breakfast meal every weekday morning to anyone in need. The meals are sit-down community style, and feature a wide range of menu options depending on their current donations.
St. Francis Xavier Parish Center 20 Temple St.
Monday – Friday: 6:30 – 9:30 am
No hot meal on Christmas Day
The Mustard Seed
Inspired by the example of Dorothy Day, The Mustard Seed provides dinner each weekday for families and individuals in need.
Location: 93 Piedmont Street
Hours: Monday – Friday, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Volunteers are always welcome!
For more info: https://mustardseedcw.org
Veterans Inc
To combat veteran food insecurity, Veterans Inc. offers a food pantry for veterans and their families on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 9:00AM-1:00PM.
Please note that proof of military service is required (including a DD214, military ID, VA ID, etc.), if you do not have proof of military service we can assist you with obtaining it.
Location: 69 Grove St.
Hours: 1st and 3rd Thursday, 9:00AM-1:00PM
St. John’s Food for the Poor Food Pantry
All are welcome to shop the weekly food pantry to get food that their families need for the week.
St. Francis Xavier Parish Center 20 Temple St.
Saturday: 8:00 – 10:00 am
South Worcester Neighborhood Center
South Worcester Neighborhood Center is committed to ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry. They serve all Worcester residents at their food pantry.
Location: 47 Camp St
Hours: Hours: M-T-Th-F 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Phone: (508) 757-8344
For emergency food help, call and ask to speak to the nutrition coordinator, Joe.
