Community Resources

This is a list of community resources available for those living in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District. It has last been updated on 10/30/2023 by Shivani Sharma. Please email Annie Mazzola with updated information.

Quick Links

Vaccine Support

	Details
Vaccine Information	This page has answers for frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccination Sites	Find locations distributing vaccines and boosters across the state through Vax finder.
Boosters	This page has answers for frequently asked questions about booster shots.
Children 5-11	This page has answers for frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Brighton/Allston

Resource	Details
Health Collaborative Resources	Allston Brighton Health Collaborative Resource List.
Fuel Assistance	Individuals struggling to pay for heating during the winter months can apply for LIHEAP Fuel Assistance.
Food Access	City of Boston has a food resource map for all Boston neighborhoods.
	Anyone who has lost their job can apply for SNAP benefits during COVID-19. Access the SNAP online application here.
	The Allston Brighton NOC Food Pantry is open for food pickup on Mondays 11AM-4PM, Wednesdays 10AM-4PM, Thursdays 10AM-2PM, and Fridays 10AM-4PM.
	Greater Boston Food Bank Community Meal Program Map
Senior-Specific	FriendshipWorks is continuing to connect isolated elders with volunteers. However, instead of in person matches, they will be telefriends. Contact Kara Jeter at 617-823-7050 or kjeter@fw4elders.org if you know an older adult who may feel isolated or to volunteer to make a weekly phone call to an older adult.
	Stop and Shop is offering senior and vulnerable-population only shopping hours between 6AM-7:30AM everyday.
Donation Opportunity	Support AB residents by donating to the Charles River Community Health Center and specifying for funds to be spent on grocery store gift-cards so patients can access healthy food.
Brighton Allston Community Calendar	Calendar is being updated daily with changes, cancellations, and alterations.
Pet Food	MSPCA is partnering with local food pantries to provide pet food and supplies to needy pet-owning homes.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts
Business Assistance	Small Business Administration Local Assistance Finder
	Apply to the Restaurant Strong Fund for small businesses
Economic Assistance	For residents who qualify, MA Dept. of Transitional Assistance provides direct economic assistance (cash benefits).
	Department of Unemployment Assistance’s Unemployment Insurance
Rental Assistance	City of Boston Rental Relief Fund
	Learn more about the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, and apply for it at the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal
	To get assistance through the RAFT application process, learn more about Metro Housing Boston. You can also apply to RAFT their website.
Educational Resources/Student Aid	DESE Educational Resources for Students & Families
	Federal Student Aid
Immigrant Covid-19 Resources	MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition Resources
Artists	Mass Cultural Council Resources for Artists
Wayside Waltham	Wayside Waltham is open to helping out Allston/Brighton residents. They provide behavioral health support and response for youth, outpatient counseling, and in-home and family based services.

Fenway

Resource	Details
Fenway Cares Resources	Fenway Cares Resource List
Fuel Assistance	Individuals struggling to pay for heating during the winter months can apply for LIHEAP Fuel Assistance.
Food Access	City of Boston has a food resource map for all Boston neighborhoods.
	Boston Temple Food Pantry (105 Jersey Street), Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3-5pm
	Anyone who has lost their job can apply for SNAP benefits during COVID-19. Access the SNAP online application here.
	Greater Boston Food Bank Community Meal Program Map
Senior-Specific	Stop and Shop is offering senior and vulnerable-population only shopping hours between 6AM-7:30AM everyday.
Volunteer Opportunities	Fenway Cares (Fenway Specific) Sign Up
Pet Food	MSPCA is partnering with local food pantries to provide pet food and supplies to needy pet-owning homes.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts
COVID-19 Testing Facility	Fenway Health is offering COVID-19 testing for community members.
Business Assistance	Small Business Administration Local Assistance Finder
	Apply to the Restaurant Strong Fund for small businesses
Economic Assistance	For residents who qualify, MA Dept. of Transitional Assistance provides direct economic assistance (cash benefits).
	Department of Unemployment Assistance’s Unemployment Insurance
Rental Assistance	City of Boston Rental Relief Fund
	Learn more about the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, and apply for it at the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal
	To get assistance through the RAFT application process, learn more about Metro Housing Boston. You can also apply to RAFT their website.
Educational Resources/Student Aid	DESE Educational Resources for Students & Families
	Federal Student Aid
Immigrant Covid-19 Resources	MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition Resources
Artists	Mass Cultural Council Resources for Artists

Cambridge

Resource	Details
Fuel Assistance	Individuals struggling to pay for heating during the winter months can apply for LIHEAP Fuel Assistance.
Food Access	The Watertown Food Pantry will be open on Tuesdays from 10AM-2PM.
	Anyone who has lost their job can apply for SNAP benefits during COVID-19. Access the SNAP online application here.
	Greater Boston Food Bank Community Meal Program Map
Watertown Mutual Aid	Watertown Mutual Aid is a volunteer program for Watertown residents to both receive aid and volunteer to help others in the community.
Senior-Specific	Stop and Shop is offering senior and vulnerable-population only shopping hours between 6AM-7:30AM everyday.
Pet Food	MSPCA is partnering with local food pantries to provide pet food and supplies to needy pet-owning homes.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts
Business Assistance	Small Business Administration Local Assistance Finder
	Apply to the Restaurant Strong Fund for small businesses
Economic Assistance	For residents who qualify, MA Dept. of Transitional Assistance provides direct economic assistance (cash benefits).
	Department of Unemployment Assistance’s Unemployment Insurance
Rental Assistance	Learn more about the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, and apply for it at the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal
	To get assistance through the RAFT application process, learn more about Metro Housing Boston. You can also apply to RAFT their website.
Educational Resources/Student Aid	DESE Educational Resources for Students & Families
	Federal Student Aid
Immigrant Covid-19 Resources	MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition Resources
Artists	Mass Cultural Council Resources for Artists
Wayside Watertown	Provides behavioral health response to youth, outpatient counseling and in-home and family based services and help.

Watertown

Resource	Details
Fuel Assistance	Individuals struggling to pay for heating during the winter months can apply for LIHEAP Fuel Assistance.
Food Access	The Watertown Food Pantry will be open on Tuesdays from 10AM-2PM.
	Anyone who has lost their job can apply for SNAP benefits during COVID-19. Access the SNAP online application here.
	Greater Boston Food Bank Community Meal Program Map
Watertown Mutual Aid	Watertown Mutual Aid is a volunteer program for Watertown residents to both receive aid and volunteer to help others in the community.
Senior-Specific	Stop and Shop is offering senior and vulnerable-population only shopping hours between 6AM-7:30AM everyday.
Pet Food	MSPCA is partnering with local food pantries to provide pet food and supplies to needy pet-owning homes.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts
Business Assistance	Small Business Administration Local Assistance Finder
	Apply to the Restaurant Strong Fund for small businesses
Economic Assistance	For residents who qualify, MA Dept. of Transitional Assistance provides direct economic assistance (cash benefits).
	Department of Unemployment Assistance’s Unemployment Insurance
Rental Assistance	Learn more about the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, and apply for it at the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal
	To get assistance through the RAFT application process, learn more about Metro Housing Boston. You can also apply to RAFT their website.
Educational Resources/Student Aid	DESE Educational Resources for Students & Families
	Federal Student Aid
Immigrant Covid-19 Resources	MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition Resources
Artists	Mass Cultural Council Resources for Artists
Wayside Watertown	Provides behavioral health response to youth, outpatient counseling and in-home and family based services and help.

Belmont

Resource	Details
Fuel Assistance	Individuals struggling to pay for heating during the winter months can apply for LIHEAP Fuel Assistance.
Food Access	Belmont Food Pantry will be open Saturday May 16, June 4 and June 20 from 8:30AM-10AM for food pickup.
	Belmont Helps provides volunteers to do food shopping for those who cannot leave their home, and helping to pay for groceries for those who cannot afford to pay at this time.
	Anyone who has lost their job can apply for SNAP benefits during COVID-19. Access the SNAP online application here.
	Greater Boston Food Bank Community Meal Program Map
Belmont Helps	Belmont Helps provides food resources, a phone number for technical support, translation services, companionship, and mask distribution.
Volunteer Opportunity	Belmont Helps Sign Up
Support Local Businesses	Be With Belmont
Pet Food	MSPCA is partnering with local food pantries to provide pet food and supplies to needy pet-owning homes.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts
Business Assistance	Small Business Administration Local Assistance Finder
	Apply to the Restaurant Strong Fund for small businesses
Economic Assistance	For residents who qualify, MA Dept. of Transitional Assistance provides direct economic assistance (cash benefits).
	Department of Unemployment Assistance’s Unemployment Insurance
Rental Assistance	Learn more about the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, and apply for it at the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal
	To get assistance through the RAFT application process, learn more about Metro Housing Boston. You can also apply to RAFT their website.
Educational Resources/Student Aid	DESE Educational Resources for Students & Families
	Federal Student Aid
Immigrant Covid-19 Resources	MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition Resources
Artists	Mass Cultural Council Resources for Artists

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunity	Details
Front Line Healthcare Workers Support	Donate to provide meals to health care workers during Covid-19 through Off The Plate.
Donate Blood	Sign up to donate blood through the Red Cross.
Support Small Businesses	Donate to the Restaurant Strong Fund to support small businesses.
Food Security	Donate to the Greater Boston Food Bank to provide food to food insecure individuals during Covid-19.
Pet Food	Donate pet supplies through MSPCA to go to needy pet-owning homes in Boston and the greater Boston area.
Behavioral Health	COVID-19 Behavioral Health Information Hub for Massachusetts