The City Taskforce on Food Security is working with the City of Worcester and organizations throughout the city to ensure that all residents have access to food and other needs throughout the government shutdown. This page contains important takeaways and links to resources to help you find what you need quickly and easily.
Scroll down and tap or click on the menu item to open the section and read more.
Visit www.mass.gov/info-details/november-2025-snap-updates to stay up to date.
SNAP benefit changes will happen on a rolling basis at each clientโs annual recertification. Clients will be notified by DTA when they need to recertify, and if any of these changes apply to them.
If you completed recertification before November 1, 2025, there should be no further changes to your case until your next recertification.
For more information about changes due to the July 4th bill, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/november-2025-snap-updates#one-big-beautiful-bill-implementation
Worcester County Food Bank has used private donations to purchase extra food in anticipation of the November emergency, and will continue to distribute food to pantries and meal programs in its network.
In addition, there are food pantries and programs in Worcester that are not part of the WCFB network.
Worcester County Food Bank Food Finder
Worcester has many food pantries and programs for people who need help. The Worcester County Food Bank partners with 99 organizations throughout Worcester County. They are listed in the Food Finder tool. In addition, you’ll find a list of food programs outside the WCFB network in the Additional Food Resources tab.
We are aware that many groups are opening programs to help meet the most urgent needs during the shutdown. If you know of a program that is not on our list – or of a change to the ones that are here – can you help us keep this resource up to date by filling out this pantry update form?
To find food pantries and meals programs in the WCFB network, use the Food Finder tool. Simply type your address into the Search box to get a list of pantries and programs closest to you. Each entry will show the name, address, and phone number of the program. Click “More info” for hours of operation and any restrictions on who is served by that program.
***ย We recommend that you call the pantry before going to be sure that they are open and can serve you.ย ***
A comprehensive list of food resources that includes pantries, meal programs, and other food resources in many of the surrounding towns.
The Mustard Seed
93 Piedmont St
Worcester, MA 01609
Hours: M-F 5 – 6:30 PM
Ph: 508-754-7098
mustardseedcw.org
Serves dinner on weekdays to all.
To volunteer,ย sign up here.
Frequently serves free Sunday breakfast at their Worcester location. Announced on their Facebook page in advance.ย Follow the page for notification.
Net of Compassion Meals on Main St
Net of Compassion is now supported by community volunteers and serves over 250 nutritious meals per week. Pastor Richie Gonzalez estimates that this program has helped thousands of individuals.
Saturday Meals hours: 1-4 pm
Location: Sidewalk outside 674 Main St
St.. Johnโs Food for the Poor
44 Temple St
Worcester, MA 01609
Hours: M-F 6:30 – 9:30 AM
Ph: 508-756-7165
www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org
Serves a hot, sit-down breakfast to those in need Monday to Friday, from 6:30 to 9:30 am
ESWA sponsors community meals at several locations in the city and surrounding towns.
Located in senior centers, elder complexes, and other convenient places, dining centers are locations where people aged 60 and over can enjoy good food and good company. Participants receive a nutritious noon meal and have the opportunity to socialize and make new acquaintances. Participants are asked to make a $3.00* donation per meal to help defray the cost of the meal.
Map of ESWA Dining Centers and Lunch/Supper Clubs
Gift Certificates available; 5 Lunches for $15.00. To find out how to make a reservation or order Gift Certificates, call Elder Services of Worcester Areaโs Nutrition Program at 508-852-3205.
Meals on Wheels//Elder Services Worcester Area
Popularly known as โMeals-on-Wheelsโ, this federally sponsored home delivered meal service is a national program administered locally to deliver well-balanced, lunchtime meals to frail, homebound individuals who are at least 60 years of age. Elders are asked to make a $3.00* donation per meal to help defray the cost of the meal.
Elder Services delivers hot lunches to elders living in Auburn, Barre, Boylston, Grafton, Hardwick, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, New Braintree, Oakham, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, and Worcester. Meals are delivered Monday-Friday and include regular hot meals, modified meals for diabetics, supper meals and frozen meals, depending upon a clientโs needs. Kosher and therapeutic meals are available in the City of Worcester, frozen therapeutic meals are available in all towns.
For information about Meals on Wheels contact Elder Services of Worcester Areaโs Information & Referral Department at 508-756-1545.
Project New Hope sponsors Sully’s Food and Sully’s Baby Pantry for veterans and their families.
Sullyโs Food and Baby pantry help Military, Veterans, Spouses, and their minor children who need food and baby items.
In our food pantry, we have non-perishable food items, frozen meats, dairy items, and seasonal fresh vegetables. We also have personal hygiene items, feminine products, and dog and cat food.
Sullyโs Food Pantry Hours: 1stย & 3rdย Saturdays 9:00 am โ Noon (appointments required).
70 James Street, #129A
Worcester, MA 01063
(774) 243-7859
Email Patty Moore:ย pmoore@projectnewhopema.org
Veterans Inc. offers a food pantry for Veterans and their families on the 1stย and 3rdย 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.
Time: 1st and 3rd Thursday each month, 9 am to 1 pm
Proactive Families Advocacy, Inc
In collaboration with ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ค ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฅ & ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฅโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐, Proactive Families Advocacy Inc. is offering free ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ to families facing hardship due to the government shutdown. These kits are filled with essential shelf-stable foods, including:
๐๐ข๐๐ค-๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง:
900 Main Street STE B, Worcester, MA 01610Conveniently located near WRTA bus routes 33, 27, and 19 with free parking on-site.
๐๐ข๐๐ค-๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ โ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ!
Click the link to complete the Emergency Meal Kit Request Form.
WCAC is accepting applications to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for the 2025-2026 winter season for first-time clients and clients renewing/recertifying from the previous year. Applications are being mailed now to previous HEAP recipients for recertification.
WCAC is experiencing a significant impact to staffing capacity due to federal budget implications. Please anticipate delays in processing applications and payments due to the federal government shutdown that started October 1, 2025.
As a result, we are strongly encouraging households that are either first-time applicants or returning clients to apply online using the online portal at https://www.toapply.org/WCAC
HEAP will have limited funding beginning November 1st for heating emergencies only.
Typical annual benefits for fuel assistance that are NOT emergencies are otherwise halted until the federal government reopens and approves a discretionary budget for fuel assistance. Heating-related emergencies only will be prioritized until additional federal funding is available.
Heating-related emergencies include:
If you are experiencing a heating emergency, use the form at https://wcac.net/fuel-assistance/ to request a callback.
Food, cash and gift card donations can help reduce the strain on our already strained safety net food resources. Most food pantries will welcome our donations, but it’s best to check in advance what they need most.
*** We cannot list all the individual food pantries that need volunteers and donations on this page or it would be so long it would no longer be useful. We encourage you to check first withย grassroots organizations and organizations in your neighborhood who have fewer fundraising resources and nearly always welcome volunteers. ***
United Way of Central Massachusetts is managing donated funds for the United Response fund. Thanks to several generous donors, every dollar given to the United Response Fund may be doubled, making your donation go even further. No donation is too small and your smaller donations can help make a big impact.
Worcester County Food Bank will be using donated funds to purchase gift cards and additional food for distribution to food pantries. They also accept donations of food.
Friendly House manages several food and diaper pantries located around the city. They accept donations to help support their work.
WooFridge community fridges are filled, cleaned, and maintained by community members who volunteer their time. They can always use donations of cash, but one of the most direct ways you can help feed people is to put some food in a community fridge or attached pantry.
Worcester Free Care Collaborative provides free medical care to anyone in the community regardless of income or insurance status. They are always seeking volunteers with a wide range of skills who can offer even a few hours a month of their time, including medical providers, lab techs, medical interpreters, grant writing/fund raising, accounting, and media marketing/outreach. Essentially, if you have a skill, they can probably find a way to use it.
At the WFCC, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their insurance status or financial situation. To fulfill our mission, we depend on our dedicated team of volunteers who are committed to providing essential medical services to those in need within our community. If you share our passion for serving others and making a positive impact, we invite you to join our team as a volunteer.ย
We understand your time is valuable, and we appreciate your consideration of donating even a small portion of it to supporting our mission!
Many food pantries have limited supplies of baby necessities for emergencies. There are also several programs in the city that have dedicated baby help pantries. You’ll find details of those on our Diapers and Formula page.
Worcester Free Care Collaborative offers offers free medical programsย inย Worcester provide basic, quality healthcare and social support services for residents of the Greater Worcester area regardless of income, insurance, or housing status. All of the programs welcome anyone in need of services. No insurance or citizenship documents are required.ย
Medical programsย run in the evenings from Monday to Thursday and are staffed by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses who graciously donate their time. Additionally, students from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Graduate School of Nursing volunteer under supervision at many of the locations.ย
Visit www.worcesterfreecare.org for a full list of the services they provide, and to view their calendar.
*** WFCC also provides food resources to patients facing food insecurity at some of their clinics. ***
We provide resources and information that help Worcester residents connect with food and other necessities.
© 2025 FoodHelpWorcester.org.
