Basic Needs: Food, Clothing, Hygiene, Household Goods

Basic Needs:  Food, Clothing, Hygiene, Household Goods

Food Resources

• Sudbury Food Pantry – shoppers receive prepackaged grocery bags which includes perishable and nonperishable items, pre-made grocery bags, and toiletries/household products
• Maynard Food Pantry – provides food assistance to residents of Maynard and surrounding cities. Traditionally only Maynard residents can visit twice a month, while residents from surrounding cities can visit once a month
• Free & Reduced Lunches in Sudbury Public Schools – Available to families of students in Sudbury Public Schools that meet income eligibility. Eligibility requirements are the same for SNAP or TAFDC.
• Project Just Because – provides information on gluten-free food bank
• SNAP (a.k.a. Food Stamps) – provides a debit card for food purchases for low-income individuals and families
• SNAP’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) – website provides information on how to receive free produce
• SNAP & Grocery Delivery –provides information on how to use SNAP benefits to take advantage of the online purchase program
• SNAP Tips for Saving Money on Food –provides tips on how to make the most of your food money by organizing your pantry & refrigerator, making soup (a delicious, low-cost food option), freezing leftovers, and making gifts created in your own kitchen
• SNAP Info for Gig Workers (Uber drivers, artists, housekeepers, & other self-employed workers) – this website of Mass Legal Services explains how “gig workers” can most easily use SNAP benefits for buying groceries
• Open Table Food Pantry & Free Prepared Meals – explains food programs & services offered by this food pantry. Pantry distribution is through drive-thru or walk-up. Volunteers will bring prepackaged groceries to your vehicle or you can visit the table in front of the building.
• A Place to Turn – Emergency food pantry. Can be used once every 30 days during COVID, without referral, for the next six months. Traditionally services are available every 60 days with a referral required.
• The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) – Reimburses participants up to a certain amount each month when purchasing fruits and vegetables from participating farmer’s markets and farm stands.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – Free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare to pregnant women and mothers of young children.
• Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program – Provided vouchers to purchase fresh produce at farmer’s markets o Available to WIC recipients & through local senior centers
• Meals on Wheels – Home delivered meals to seniors over 60, Monday through Friday – Nutrition education and counseling is also available. Services is provided through Bay Path Elder Services, eligibility for the program is on an individual basis
• Food Source Hotline – Please call for a referral to food resources and information about school meals, summer meal sites for kids, elder meal programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• The Good Shepherd Parish (On Hold due to COVID-19) – Free, homemade meals delivered to the homebound and elderly on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Clothing

• A Place to Turn – Offers a limited amount of new children’s clothing. During COVID, can be visited every 30 days and no referral. Traditionally it is every 60 with a referral.
• Dress for Success (DFS) – Provides women with professional outfits to secure employment and programming to help women achieve success in reaching their personal goals.
• Global Thrift – For-profit thrift store that offers free clothing, furniture, and household goods
• Local Thrift Stores (i.e. Savers, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.) – This is a great way to save money on new and used clothing as well as household goods while supporting a charitable cause.

 Hygiene Resources

• Elizabeth CARE pantry – registration & checklist form for obtaining free hygiene & cleaning supplies

 Clothing & Household Goods

• Household Goods in Action – referral by a social worker is required in order to access these services, which include basic furniture & small household goods, provided at no charge.
• Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson –Provides free used furniture and household goods for those in need. People can only visit once and provide their own transportation
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Provides emergency short-term financial assistance for essential needs, access to furniture, and referrals to other resources. Society of St. Vincent de Paul representatives require a telephone interview.
• Household Goods, Inc. – Provides free used furniture and household goods for those in need. People may only visit once and provide their own transportation
• Gifts of Hope Unlimited – Provides emergency short-term financial assistance, basic household goods, clothing, toiletries, furniture, and more to survivors of domestic violence.
• Local Thrift Stores (i.e. Savers, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.) are also a great way to save money on new and used clothing and household goods while supporting a charitable cause.
• Facebook Groups*:
  • *As with any communication online or with people you have just met, please be cautious about sharing personal information and consider meeting in a safe public location
  • Lincoln Sudbury Mutual Aid Network-Neighbors can ask for items they need or post items they have to give
  • Sudbury Bulletin Board-A general community bulletin board to ask questions, post information and post requests
  • Buy Nothing Sudbury/Maynard MA-Going green by upcycling. Neighbors post what they have to share or what they need to avoid buying new

General Resources    

• Project Just Because – describes services available to all citizens in need, which include a ‘free grocery store’ and other categories of assistance
• South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) –outlines the many things this multi-service agency provides for those in need, including assistance with behavioral health care, education & employment training, energy & financial assistance, housing, food, & small business assistance
• Neighbor Brigade: Neighbors Volunteering to Support Those Coping with Temporary Crises –provides information on the non-financial temporary crises with which this organization may be able to help (such as cancer treatments, recent death in the family, accident, fire, etc.) and how to request help.

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