Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Distributes $43,000 in Donations to Food Pantries

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Food collected from multiple locations across the City during theCommunity Food Drive, running through December 31, 2025. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation received $43,000 in donations to support Watertown’s food pantries since the City of Watertown’s Community Food Drive began on October 31. These funds have been distributed to the Watertown Food Pantry and Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry to purchase and distribute food at each pantry. Residents from Watertown, Belmont and nearby communities also continue to contribute shelf-stable pantry goods at multiple drop off locations in our schools and across the city during the Community Food Drive. An estimated one to two tons of food each week have been distributed among the food pantries, the Watertown Community Fridge, and, as needed, to the city’s social service providers since November 10.

Around Town

WBC & Rotary Club Hosting Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive for Whooley Foundation

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The Rotary Club and the Watertown Business Coalition will host the fourth annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 9. See details provided by the WBC, below. The Watertown Business Coalition is excited to continue our holiday tradition with our 4th Annual Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive in partnership with the Watertown Rotary Club at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to support the Whooley Foundation!

Around Town

See How to Give to Watertown Organizations on Giving Tuesday

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Watertown has many worthy organizations to support on Giving Tuesday, whether it is supporting children, the arts, troops overseas, history, and more. Watertown Community Foundation

Watertown families are under pressure. Benefits for food, housing and health support are in peril, as the overall cost of living continues to rise. When you donate to the Fund for the Most Vulnerable, you help support Essential Needs Grants. You designate your gift for programs to address food insecurity, housing assistance, emergency assistance, mental health, health and wellness for Watertown’s most vulnerable residents.

Business

Watertown Restaurant Spotlighted by Governor for Providing Free Meals During SNAP Benefits Cuts

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The owner of a Watertown restaurant got a special call from the Governor for donating meals to people in need when the SNAP benefits lapsed during the Federal Government shutdown. Gov. Maura Healey reached out to Max Ritcey, owner of Ritcey East, to thank him personally. “What your family did making all of those meals available to hundreds of people was just an amazing, amazing beautiful gift,” Healey said. “I just want to thank you.” Ritcey said, “Ya, of course.

Around Town

Sold Out Donohue’s Turkey Trot Draws More Than 1,500 Runners & Walkers

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More than 1,500 people took part in the 20th Donohue’s Turkey Trot. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 20th edition of the Donohue’s Turkey Trot drew the biggest crowd in the history of the Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk. More than 1,500 people joined in the event, which raises money for the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. The Turkey Trot has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Competitors came from as far as New Zealand and England to take part in the Turkey Trot, said JD Donohue, owner of Donohue’s.

Business

Local Company Buys 95 Thanksgiving Dinners for Watertown Families

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Akian Plumbing teamed with the Whooley Foundation to provide 95 Thanksgiving meals. The Whooley Foundation, along with a donation by Steven and Alex Akian — owners of Watertown’s Akian Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning — provided over 95 full Thanksgiving meals to families in town this week. The effort began four years ago when the Akians donated 10 dinners, said Lt. Ken Swift, who heads the Whooley Foundation. This year, 23 more families received meals than in 2024. Swift called it a collaboration between the Police, City departments, community organizations, and Akian.

Around Town

Watertown Savings Employees Prepare Backpacks to Send to Troops Via Operation American Soldier

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Employees from Watertown Savings Bank put together more than 130 backpacks for troops at Operation American Soldier. (Contributed Photo)

Recently employees from Watertown Savings Bank helped out at Operation American Soldier, and filled backpacks to send to American servicemen and women. The volunteers went to the Watertown-based non-profit and put together more than 130 backpacks to send to troops, said Wendy Rocca, co-founder of Operation American Soldier. Each pack also included a handwritten note. The backpacks included a note to the serviceman or woman who will receive it.

Around Town

Wayside Multi’s PSA Debuts on Cable, Focuses on How the Program Meets Residents’ Needs

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A screenshot from the Wayside Youth and Family Network Multi Service Center’s PSA. The Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Multi-Service Center recently debuted a public service announcement on Watertown Cable Access TV, featuring Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman. She spoke about the increasing stress among Watertown residents as they struggle to meet basic needs. Through Wayside, residents can be connected to housing assistance, food, and more services. Wayside provides a variety of services, including outreach, counseling services, and substance use prevention.