Hospitals, government officials, and service organizations
are joined in an initiative to fight one of the fastest-growing health issues -
hunger. UMass Memorial Health Care has incorporated screening for food
insecurity into our health insurance assistance program and, with our partners,
helped produce the handbook Hunger in the Community: Ways Hospitals Can Help.
The following information is provided to our patients and visitors in need of
food assistance in the Worcester area:
SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (food stamps) - For families and individuals, all
ages
SNAP gives income-eligible people of all ages a monthly cash card
(a plastic card, like a debit card) to buy groceries. Depending on income and
certain expenses, families and individuals might be eligible even if they work,
are unemployed, are retired or receive public assistance.
WIC
Program (Women, Infants and Children) - For
pregnant women, infants and children
WIC gives vouchers for nutritious
food and baby formula to income-eligible pregnant women, infants, and children
up to 5 years of age.
Who is eligible?
- Families and individuals, all ages, income-eligible (SNAP)
- Pregnant women, and infants and young children, income-eligible (WIC)
How do you apply?
- Call us at: 508-334-9300
- Or visit any UMass Memorial Patient Financial Counseling office, all in
Worcester:
- University Campus, 55 Lake Avenue North
- Memorial Campus, 119 Belmont Street
- Hahnemann Campus, 281 Lincoln Street
- Downtown Worcester, 370 Main Street, Third Floor
- Worcester Community Action Council
484 Main Street, 2nd
Floor
Worcester, MA 01608
508-754-1176
- Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
9 Walnut Street
Worcester,
MA 01608
508-767-3100
Apply online: www.mass.gov/dta
- Project Bread FoodSource Hotline
800-645-8333
Massachusetts Children's Fund - For
infants and toddlers
This private fund offers baby food in jars, such
as fruits, vegetables, meats, and dinners. Children's Fund will let you know
where to pick up the food, usually at a community organization.
Who is eligible?
Infants and toddlers, families in
need.
How do you apply?
Visit the Massachusetts Children's Fund
website and use the online application: www.machildrensfund.com.
School Meals - For school-age
children
Families with school-age children can apply for reduced price
or free breakfast, lunch, or after-school snacks. You may apply anytime during
the school year. You can re-apply again if your income goes down or your family
size goes up.
Who is eligible?
School-age children, income-eligible
How do you apply?
Ask at your child's school for an
application
Summer Meal Program - For any child,
18 years or younger
The Summer Food Service Program serves lunch, and
sometimes breakfast, dinner or a snack to any child age 18 years or younger. The
free meals are served at parks, in schools, at community centers, and in other
locations.
Who is eligible?
Any child 18 years or younger, any
income level
How do you apply?
- No application, no pre-registration
To find a site closest to where you
live:
- Call the Worcester County Food Bank: 508-842-3663
- Call Project Bread - FoodSource Hotline: 800-645-8333
- Visit www.meals4kids.org, which has
a complete list of summer meal sites that is updated every July 1
Home-Delivered Meals - For people
over age 60, disabled younger adults
Meals on Wheels brings lunch
daily to you if you are home-bound and cannot cook for yourself due to illness,
disability or frailty. A voluntary donation is requested.
Who is eligible?
People over age 60, any income level;
and disabled younger adults who live in housing complexes where meals are
delivered
How do you apply?
Call Elder Services of Worcester:
508-852-3205
Dining Centers - For people over age
60
These sites offer nutritious meals to seniors at senior centers,
churches, and apartment complexes. Sometimes called 'lunch clubs," they also
provide seniors with a chance to socialize. A voluntary donation is
requested.
Who is eligible?
People over age 60, any income level
How do you apply?
- Call Elder Services of Worcester: 508-852-3205
- No application, but registration is required. Must make a reservation at
least one day in advance.
Farmers' Market Coupons - For people
over age 60
- Seasonal July - October
- Coupons are available for income-eligible seniors to buy fresh fruits and
vegetables at any participating farmers' market (not valid at grocery stores or
roadside farm stands)
- For homebound seniors, produce is sorted, bagged, and delivered to your
home.
Who is eligible?
- People over age 60, income-eligible
- How do you apply?
- Call Elder Services of Worcester: 508-852-3205
- Call Friendly House: 508-755-4362
Emergency Food Programs - Help for
anyone in need
These programs offer immediate help for anyone in need.
Food Pantries are places where you can get free bags of non-perishable food to
take home. Some food pantries also give frozen foods and fresh fruits and
vegetables. Most pantries provide emergency food help once or twice a
month.
Soup kitchens serve free, hot meals at lunch or supper. For the current list
of food pantry and soup kitchen locations, and the days and hours they are open,
contact: