Food, Housing, Utilities, Shelter, and Transportation Resources

On this page you can find resources related to:

  • Food
  • Housing/Shelter
  • Utilities
  • Transportation

These resources are updated regularly, so please check back frequently.

Food

  • Food Source Hotline (Project Bread)
    • Phone: 1-800-645-8333 | TTY 1-800-377-1292
    • Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Food for Boston Children/Youth
  • Daily Table
  • WIC
    • Call 1-800-942-1007 or 617-721-6601. weekdays Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you hear a recording, please leave a message with your name and telephone number, and we will respond the same business day. You can also email wicinfo.dph@massmail.state.ma.us with any questions about WIC nutrition services and enrollment.
    • Link to WIC Local Program Email Addresses or call your local office.
  • Access to cash assistance and food stamps (DTA)
    • Emergency SNAP due to the COVID-19 crisis
    • The fastest way to apply is to apply online/on your smartphone at DTAConnect.com.
    • Go to Mass.gov/SNAP to print a paper SNAP application and learn where to send it.
      • Call the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to apply over the phone.
  • Special hours for elderly and immunocompromised shoppers
    • Daily 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
    • 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.
    • Wednesdays, first hour after opening, 8 a.m. at South Bay, Fenway
  • Food Pantries and Food Distribution Centers
    • CCAB Dorchester: 185 Columbia Road, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 12:30 - 3:00 p.m., 617-506-6628
    • CCAB South End: 1400 Washington Street, Entrance on the right side, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 617-506-6628
    • Concord Baptist Church, 180 Blue Hill Ave, Milton, MA, Every other Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Drive up only) Double-check Facebook page before going:
    • ICNA Relief (Muslims for Humanity), Vegetarian Halal Options, Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 100 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury (Drive up only - stay in your car) For seniors/delivery options: email kmaruf@icnarelief.org
    • First Baptist Church of Jamaica Plain, delivering food only, complete the Google form, or call 617-524-3992. As of May, waiting list.
  • About Fresh/Fresh Truck
    • Eligibility for Boston residents who are homebound due to illness, disability, quarantine, and do not have family/friends that can bring food; the emergency food system/pantry/meal program they have been relying on has closed; have lost your job or income and cannot afford groceries. If your household meets any of these criteria and you would like to inquire about receiving a Fresh Box please email the Office of Food access at food@boston.gov.
  • Pet Food Banks

Housing/Shelter

Utilities

  • LifeLine
    • Subsidized Phone and Internet Services
  • COVID-19 Response from Phone and Internet Providers
    • Pledge to keep phone, internet, and hotspots open to individuals and small businesses
  • Eversource
    • Suspending disconnection of service for non-payment; Eliminating late payment charges
    • Also offering a flexible payment plan with no down payment for any past-due amount.
  • National Grid
    • Temporarily suspending collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
    • Suspended shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain in effect until further notice.
    • Will also offer its most flexible payment plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19 and will suspend late payment charges until May 1.

Transportation

  • The Ride
    • The Ride Eligibility Center will be closed and all business will be over phone (617-337-2727) or email (trec@paratransit.org)
    • New RIDE customers, will be granted temporary eligibility if medical necessity criteria is met
    • Current RIDE customers who require recertification soon, will have eligibility automatically extended.
    • No shared rides; plan ahead.
  • MBTA COVID-19 update