Around Town

Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us (First Part of a Series)

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Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For many, Watertown is a destination for food and eating, with dozens of restaurants, markets small and large, and a farmers market through the warmer months. However, a significant number of residents have trouble affording to feed themselves and their families. The hunger problem in Watertown is often not visible, but those who provide assistance and services to people in need have noticed a recent increase in the number of people in town facing food insecurity, spiking during the Pandemic. And, while the COVID cases have dropped, the numbers of people going to Watertown’s two food pantries, or needing help to put enough food on their table has remained at about the same level.

Around Town

Watertown Housing Advocacy Group Receives Award

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Housing for All Watertown members Daniel Pritchard, Rita Colafella, Sam Ghilardi, Amy Plovnick, and Josh Rosmarin, flanked by AHMA staff Kassie Infante and Jesse Kanson-Benanav with the “Rookie of the Year” award. (Photo by Grainy Daze Studios)

The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:

On Nov. 30, a local housing advocacy group was honored at Abundant Housing Massachusetts’s First Annual Celebration of Abundance. Housing for All Watertown (HAW), a grassroots resident-led group founded in early 2023, received a “Rookie of the Year” award from the Massachusetts pro-housing nonprofit. “There are so many local community groups like ours who are working to create more housing access and address the region’s urgent housing crisis, so it’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts here in Watertown,” said Jacky van Leeuwen, a member of the HAW Steering Committee.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.

Around Town

New Doughnut Shop Opens in Watertown, Grand Opening Party Planned

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Blackbird Doughnuts opened at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. (Photo from Blackbird Doughnuts)

Lovers of sweet treats have a new place to shop. Blackbird Doughnuts has opened in Arsenal Yards in Watertown. The artisanal doughnut store opened its newest store on Tuesday, and has plans for a grand opening party, according to social media. “Our Watertown store is finally here.

Around Town

Watertown College Student Shares His Experience Dealing with a Rare, Painful Disease in New Book

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Shant Cimenian shared his story about dealing with an invisible disease in his soon to be published book. (Courtesy Photo)

Most days, Shant Cimenian’s life is a very typical one. The 21-year-old Watertown resident attends UMass Boston and is looking toward life after college. However, some days, without warning, he will be thrown into writhing agony due to a rare disease. Having an “invisible disease” can be a struggle, but Cimenian wants to share his story with others facing similar conditions to show them not alone.

Around Town

Watertown Seeking Plow Drivers for 2023-24 Snow Season

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by Charlie BreitroseSnow plow drivers are wanted by the Watertown Department of Public Works to help with snow and ice removal. Have a truck with a plow — the Watertown Department of Public Works wants you this winter. The DPW seeks people with their own vehicle equipped with a plow to help with snow and ice removal this winter. The range of pay is $140 an hour for a 4×4 truck with a 8-foot plow up to $310 an hour for a Plow Cat 980 loader with a 10-foot plow. See the details below:

Watertown Superintendent of Public Works Greg St.