The COVID-19 public health emergency has created an urgent food security challenge for households and communities on the South Shore and the Commonwealth. Food insecurity is defined as being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. When money runs short, households often have to choose between paying for food, and paying for rent, utilities, and other essentials. Below are a few resources available to the public to help get us through these difficult times.
Programs
- Department of Transitional Assistance: A state agency that provides benefits to those that qualify. Visit this helpful FAQ to see if you qualify.
- Food Source Hotline: From Project Bread. A statewide, toll-free hotline providing information and referral service for people facing hunger. Call 1-800-645-8333. Link here.
- Meals on Wheels: Meal delivery for seniors, aged 60+, and their spouses and disabled dependent(s) if they have physical, emotional, or cognitive impairments, or have inadequate kitchen facilities, resulting in an inability to prepare nutritionally adequate food. Contact South Shore Elder Services here. Contact Old Colony Elder Services here.
- Pandemic-EBT: provides food supports to help families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals pay for food. Learn more here.
Food Pantries
- Weymouth Food Pantry
- Marshfield Food Pantry
- Wellspring Multi-Service Center – Located in Hull, Wellspring’s mission is to provide support and skills to people facing challenges to their financial, physical, or emotional well-being in order to help them achieve independence and self-sufficiency. They have stepped up during this time to assist those facing food insecurity.
- Cohasset Food Pantry
- Paul’s Food Pantry (Duxbury)
- Friends of Norwell Food Pantry
- Scituate Food Pantry