Last updated May 13, 2020.
COVID-19 & Churches:
Essential Needs &
Volunteer Coordination
Essential needs
F O O D A C C E S S
Project Bread food resources guide
Information on Free Meals for Kids and Teens, Meals on Wheels, Food Pantries, and Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline 1-800-645-8333 (Monday-Friday: 8am-7pm & Saturday: 10am-2pm).
If you are unemployed because of COVID-19, you can apply for SNAP food benefits.
Some students’ families can receive Pandemic EBT cards to use for groceries.
Statewide list of food pantries & resources, by city & area
Food pantries and meal sites provide food directly to individuals, but food banks listed do not distribute food directly to individuals. Given the Pandemic, be sure to call to confirm information.
Supplies food pantries and other programs providing food around greater Boston. They are in need of extra volunteers and financial donations.
If someone you know needs food, you can find locations of food pantry partners by entering the zip code on this webpage with map.
Food Resource Locations in Boston
Map and lists, including food pantries, free meal pick up sites for all youth and teens, free meal pick up sites for adults, and “Soup kitchens.” Call sites to confirm times and other current information.
Call (617) 635-3717 or
Catalina Lopez-Ospina at (617) 635-2841
Free breakfast and lunch meals are available to all Boston children and youth while Boston Public Schools are closed.
Ethos - Meals for Older Adults (60+)
Ethos is providing meals for older adults through its Meals on Wheels program (617)- 477-6606 or take out meals available at their Community Cafe sites throughout the city.
L E G A L
Provides information in English and Spanish on:
employment and unemployment issues
immigration concerns
housing issues like the eviction moratorium and utility bills
health insurance
cash assistance
and more
h o u s i n g
State Initiatives to help Renters - Eviction Prevention and RAFT housing assistance- From the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Freeze and Moratorium on Evictions
On April 20, 2020, Governor Baker signed into law legislation that imposes a temporary moratorium on evictions that goes beyond previous DHCD guidance. See web links for details.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition
The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses, or both. RAFT assists households of all sizes and configurations with financial assistance up to $4,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing.
In Greater Boston, RAFT is administered by Metro Housing|Boston.
WORKERS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
H E A L T H C A R E
Boston Hope Medical Center
Mayor Walsh would like to call attention to the need for healthcare providers, especially at the new Boston Hope Medical Center (at the Convention Center). Click HERE for more information on these jobs. Free accommodations and meals are provided. Please share with your networks and congregations.
MA Responds
Public health, health care, and emergency response volunteers can register to volunteer at MA Responds.
F O O D A C C E S S
Boston Public Schools
Pack & deliver food for BPS students and families.
COORDINATING ORGANIZATIONS
The BMA resource webpage includes a wide variety of basic information including food distribution centers; testing sites; information for tenants, homeowners, & landlords; information on financial assistance; legal assistance; and internet access.
MCC is gathering info from churches across the state with this form to learn what communities need and how churches can help.
Boston Cares is coordinating volunteer opportunities such as packing and distributing meal for Boston Public School students at the distribution sites (schools). Click on the schools and then the specific days to find needs.
For other volunteer opportunities related to the Boston Public Schools, contact Miriam Rubin at mrubin2@bostonpublicschools.org. For donations of goods and services, contact Margaret Farmer (978) 729-7771 / mfarmer2@bostonpublicschools.org.
Neighborhood & Community Mutual Aid Networks
Communities sharing needs and serving neighbors in very practical ways.
IDEAS
The Coronavirus Epidemic in Boston: Here’s How Christians Can Respond, from Unite Boston
INNOVATION
Faith Tech Christian Hackathon for COVID 19 Innovative Solutions
Between March 28th and April 4th, Faith Tech hosted an online Hackathon, unrestricted by geography and location. They built technological solutions to the problems local churches across the world are now facing. Check out the winning projects.
