Social Services That Make the Holiday Season Bright

We like to think of the holiday season as a time of joy and celebration. Sometimes, it is. Sometimes, though, this season – and the rough winter that follows – can bring with it anxiety and worry about how to provide holiday happiness and winter security for those we love. Here in Somerville, there are a number of agencies and services to help.  

In particular, the Somerville community has a number of locations where you can secure free, healthy food to prepare at home, as well as places where you can sit down and enjoy hot, communal meals in a supportive environment. Project Soup, 165 Broadway, hosts a food pantry for Somerville residents during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  For more information, you can call 617.776.7687. The Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway, Somerville, also has a pantry for Somerville residents every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Please call 617.623.5510 for more information.

First Church Somerville UCC, 89 College Avenue hosts free dinners every Monday at 5:00 p.m. and Connexion, 149 Broadway, offers a free community meal on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  The Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue, serves dinner on the second Friday of every month, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to these Somerville-based sites, the Somerville Food Security Coalition publishes a full resource guide with listings for food pantries and communal meals available in surrounding communities, including Cambridge, Medford and Boston. 

Specifically for Christmas, Toys for Tots and Globe Santa work to bring joy and toys to families with young children. In both cases, it is best to work with a social services agency that can give a referral. 

Somerville’s anti-poverty agency, the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), has a Homelessness Prevention Program that provides benefits and utilities advocacy services to low-income individuals and families. They can be reached by calling 617.623.7370. The Somerville Homeless Coalition also provides case management, referrals, and assistance for individuals and families facing homelessness. Contact them at 617.623.6111.

Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services can often provide legal assistance and advocacy surrounding housing, consumer and benefit issues affecting lower income adults and families. They can be reached by calling 617.603.2700.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of every resource available to you, the programs referenced in this article have established a history of providing comfort and support to Somerville residents in need. Their skilled, resourceful and compassionate staff will be able to direct you to other services designed to help.  

 – Janine Lotti