Boston Moms is committed to bringing timely and necessary resources to our readers in Greater Boston and beyond. With the recent school closures due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) concerns, we understand that access to food might be limited for some families in our area. Below you will find resources for sourcing food in your community. These resources have been pooled by our followers and team. If you have an additional resource that you believe should be mentioned, please email meghan[at]bostonmoms.com.

Statewide Resources

Project Bread Food Source Hotline

The toll-free Project Bread FoodSource Hotline is the only comprehensive statewide information and referral service in Massachusetts for people facing hunger. It can connect you to food resources in your community. Call 1-800-645-8333 (TTY 1-800-377-1292).

Greater Boston Food Bank

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) partners with 520+ hunger-relief agencies across Eastern Massachusetts to bring access to food to nine counties and 190 towns and cities. Use the GFB agency locator to find a list of food assistance options in your community. 

School Systems Offering Bagged Lunches

A complete list of school systems offering bagged “Grab and Go” lunches during the COVID-19 outbreak and through the summer can be found on the Child Nutrition Outreach Program website.

Pandemic EBT 

Massachusetts families with school-age children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program qualify for Pandemic EBT benefits. This includes any student in a school that provided free meals to all students. P-EBT cards will be loaded in September for students in school districts that are participating in remote or virtual learning, either part or full time. Students will only receive funds for the days in which they are learning at home.

If families are already receiving DTA benefits, P-EBT benefits will be added to their existing EBT cards. If families are not actively receiving DTA benefits, they will receive P-EBT cards in the mail for each eligible student in their household.

If your child received free or reduced-price school meals at school, and their school district is participating in remote or virtual learning, contact Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at (800) 645-8333 (TTY 800-377-1292).

Grab-and-go meal sites will remain open and accessible for families and are not affected by P-EBT.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — formerly food stamps)

If you need help buying fresh, nutritious food, you may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Applicants will receive a determination within 30 days. Click here for the application.

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or not working. If you’re a parent or legal guardian of a child under 5, you can apply for WIC for your child. Eligibility guidelines can be found here.

Feeding Your Pets

If you are having trouble feeding your pets, please click here for a list of food pantries also offering assistance for animals.

Meghan Block
Meghan was born and raised on the South Shore and attended college in Boston. After college, she married her high school sweetheart and followed him to Charleston, SC, and Groton, CT, where he served as a submarine officer in the United States Navy. Military life was an adventure, and after six crazy years of service (and two babies later!), the pair decided to move *home* to the South Shore in 2016 and put down some roots. Meghan is the proud owner of Boston Moms and work-at-home mom to William, Benjamin, and Caroline, born in 2013, 2015 and 2019. She loves meeting new people, encouraging moms, celebrating motherhood, and supporting small businesses.