Boston city officials and partners distributed thousands of donated turkeys and meals ahead of Thanksgiving, and more resources are available for those in need, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Monday morning.
“We’re so thankful to partner every single day to try to do whatever we can to take care of our community members and meet the needs of our residents, but especially around the holidays,” said Wu. “We know that as times are complicated and can be quite difficult, that it takes even more effort, and in this city, that means even more people have raised their hands to say, ‘How can I help?’”
The city’s Community Engagement Cabinet and the Office of Cultural Affairs led a three-day distribution of over 3,200 turkeys and 35,000 pounds of food to residents ahead of the holiday, officials announced at the adult day health center Nuevo Dia in Jamaica Plain.
In the third year of the program, the city took the thousands of birds and bags of food including rice, canned corn, pasta and more non-perishable items to over 60 distribution sites like community organizations, churches and Boston Housing Authority facilities.
In sourcing the turkeys and food, the city partnered with Stop and Shop, Amazon, Roche Bros., Shaw’s and Star Market, Red Sox, TD Garden, Boston Legacy Football Club, Commonwealth Kitchen, Toast.org, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1445, Goya, and Care Access.
Boston City Councilors and company representatives joined the announcement Monday.
“Ensuring that families have a warm meal on the table is something that matters to all of us, and the work be being done here today reflects the best of our city,” said Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of the Boston Legacy Football Club. “As we look ahead to making White Stadium our home in 2027, it means a great deal to be here today, just minutes away from where we will play. Our presence in the community isn’t seasonal. It reflects our long term commitment to the neighborhoods around Franklin Park and the families in this area who make it so special.”
City officials also directed residents to continued resources for support through the holidays and beyond, encouraging anyone seeking help to call 311 or 617-635-4500 for more information.
A multilingual Thanksgiving resource page is available at vitalcxns.org/food, officials said, outlining free events across Boston neighborhoods leading up to the holiday.
The City of Boston also lists accessible sources of free and discounted food at the Office of Food Justice’s Food Resource page, boston.gov/food-resources. City officials noted food programs including after school meals by Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Double Up Food Bucks Program through neighborhood stores, the Age Strong Commission resources, and meal delivery for those who cannot leave their homes.
Project Bread offers a Food Source Hotline via call or text at 1-800-645-8333, and the Greater Boston Food Bank provides a food pantry finder as well at gbfb.org/need-food.
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