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.

Around Town

Watertown Hibernians Hosting Turkey Shoot to Benefit Sonny Whooley Fund

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 14, Watertown, MA is hosting our Annual Turkey Shoot to benefit the Sonny Whooley Fund. See details provided by the Hibernians, below. During the Turkey Shoot 40 Turkeys, 40 Bags of Vegetables, 40 Pies, and 40 Gallons of Cider will be raffled off. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 21 at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown, MA.

Charity

Gold Kings Hosting Fundraiser for Operation American Soldier at Next Home Game

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The Gold Kings will be hosting a fund raiser for Operation American Soldier. (Photo by John Merritt)

The Boston Gold Kings, Watertown’s semi-pro hockey team, is teaming up with Operation American Soldier to raise money to send care packages to military servicemen and women. See details from the Gold Kings, below. Join the Boston Gold Kings for their first ever Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in support of Watertown’s Operation American Soldier!

Charity

LETTER: Food Pantry Thanks Community for Its Support; Even With SNAP Restored the Need is Not Over

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It has been a whirlwind of a month at the Watertown Food Pantry, as we faced one of the greatest obstacles in feeding our clients that we have encountered. We’ve been through COVID, the fall of our ceiling, and, at this moment, the emergent loss of our space, but the loss of life-saving SNAP benefits for our clients was devastating, personal, and emotional to all of our volunteers who care so much for our clients. And yet, they showed up, handed out as much as they could, with sympathy, empathy, and love to all who came through our doors. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to all these unsung hero’s, without whom, we could not do what we do. And to our Watertown Community — you always come through for us!  Thank you for all your donations of food! Thank you for all your monetary donations! Thank you for your words of support!

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Distributes $7,000 in Donations to Food Pantries

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Tia Tilson, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation, delivers a donation check for the Watertown Food Pantry to Jenna Bancroft, Director of Human Services, City of Watertown. The Watertown Community Foundation announced the donations received in the first days of the drive to support local food pantries. The drive runs through December. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Community Foundation, below. The Watertown Community Foundation received $7,000 in donations to support both of Watertown’s food pantries to date.

Charity

Catholic Charities Boston Launches Holiday Giving Drive with M&T Bank to Support Food for Families

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The following announcement was provided by M&T Bank and Catholic Charities:

M&T Bank is joining Catholic Charities Boston (CCAB) in providing Hope for the Holidays to those in need. M&T Bank is collecting non-perishable food items at all Greater Boston branch locations beginning next week through the end of November. The donations will benefit Catholic Charities Boston’s food pantries, which served 69,441 people across Eastern Massachusetts this past year. 

This holiday season, the need for donations is dire as policy changes, funding cuts, and high grocery costs further strain struggling households. One in three Massachusetts families faces food insecurity. One in six Massachusetts families rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

Charity

Watertown Restaurant Holding Sweet Fundraiser for a Food Pantry

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Bar ‘Cino’s gelato is just one dessert to choose from in the No Child Hungry This Summer program. (Courtesy of Bar ‘Cino)

Bar ‘Cino, located at 47 Main Street in Watertown, is pleased to announce a new fundraising effort to support the Centre Street Food Pantry, a local food relief agency serving Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley. From August 17 though August 31, 50 percent of dessert sales will be donated to the Centre Street Food Pantry’s “No Child Hungry This Summer” program. In a survey of families who visit Centre Street Food Pantry, more than half reported that their children did not receive subsidized meals in the summer, while the remainder who brought their children to an approved meal site said they came home and were still hungry. In response, the Centre Street Food Pantry has held the “No Child Hungry This Summer” fundraising campaign each of the last four summers to raise funds to provide lunch food items to approximately 1,400 children each month from June through September.  

“We are so grateful to the work that the Centre Street Food Pantry does for families in need and humbled to have the opportunity to support their efforts,” said Gary Morrison, Regional Manager, Newport Restaurant Group.

Around Town

Point32Health Finance Team Supports Operation American Soldier

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Employees at Point32Heath packed care packages for American servicemen and -women, which will be delivered by Operation American Soldier. (Photo from Point32Health)

The following announcement was provided by Point32Health:

The Point32Health finance team turned a summer BBQ into something unforgettable. More than 150 colleagues in the finance organization came together for food and camaraderie and to make a meaningful impact in support of Operation American Soldier. Point32Health employees assembling the care packages. (Photo from Point32Health)

Together, the team assembled and donated 115 backpacks filled with snacks, toiletries, and handwritten notes of appreciation.