Mayor Menino's Food & Fuel Campaign is a partnership among government, businesses and non-profit organizations that are helping residents and small businesses address the rising costs of food and fuel.

As part of this effort, the Mayor hosted a food and fuel summit at Madison Park High School on September 27th where Boston residents were able to find out about food programs, healthy cooking, fuel assistance, weatherization and how they could help others. In the months to come there will be community dinners called "Neighborhood DISH" at our schools and community centers. These events will provide opportunities for Boston residents to come together, socialize with neighbors, and learn about programs and services that can help them manage in these tough economic times.

In addition to these events, there are a variety of existing programs that can help Boston residents. A selection of these services is listed below.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services

Food Assistance

Find A Food Pantry or Meal Program in Your Neighborhood:

• Greater Boston Food Bank Agency Locator
• Project Bread FoodSource Hotline or call 1-800-645-8333

Apply for Food Stamps or Other Income Supplements:

• Project Bread's Tips and Food Stamp Application Assistance
• Department of Transitional Assistance DTA toll-free number - 1-800-249-2007 / Food Stamp Information & Application
• Massachusetts Resource Download an Application / Customer Service: 1-800-997-2555
• School Free & Reduced Meals and Summer Meals / 617-723-5000 (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Child Nutrition Outreach Program)
• BPS School Free & Reduced Meals (Download a form. Completed forms can be given to the cafeteria manager or attendant at your child's school.)

• American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay - Call 617-274-5200 x5596 for emergency assistance and a food pantry
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program 1-800-WIC-1007 - (Federal program tha provides healthy food, nutrition & health information to all types of qualified Massachusetts' families.)
• City of Boston Elderly Nutrition Services / 617-635-4366
• Serve New England / (A program offering deep discounts on quality grocery, meat, and vegetable items to community minded individuals willing to volunteer 2 hours of their time each month to a worthy case.)
• Boston Public Health Commission Healthy Recipes and Tips (Resources for healthy cooking)

Fuel Assistance 

• ABCD's fuel assistance program (Provides help paying heating bills to qualifying households. 617-357-6012.)
• Citizens Energy / 1-877-563-4645 (Allows families to purchase one-time deliveries of discount home heating oil.)
• Mass. Energy Consumers Alliance / 1-800-287-3950 (Allows families to purchase one-time deliveries of discount home heating oil.)
• Good Neighbor Energy Fund / 1800-334-3047 (Offers one-time grants to eligible consumers.)
• NStar: Financial Assistance, Fuel Assistance and Forgiveness Programs / 1-800-566-2080
  • 65 Plus and Double Notice Protection: Keeps those households with all members 65 years of age or older from receiving a final notice on their electric bill, with an option to allow NSTAR to notify a relative or friend about overdue bills.
• National Grid / 1-888-211-1313 (Provides year-round home energy solutions to save you money and improve your home’s energy performance.)
• Energy Bucks (Fuel Assistance, Discount Rates, Energy Efficiency Services)
• Heat Works / 617-635-0338 (A program for eligible senior homeowners 60 years of age and older, and families with young children, who are owner-occupants of a residential 1-4 family property in the City of Boston and income eligible. Services may include: weatherization /Insulation; replacement of broken heating system with an energy efficient one and technical assistance from construction specialists)
• Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (Offers bi-weekly utility workshops with information on applying for fuel assistance and low-income discounted rates on your utilities, receiving protections on your utility accounts, negotiating payment plans with utility companies, information on weatherization and heating tips, & more)
• Cold Relief Heatline / 1-800-632-8175 (Offers bi-weekly utility workshops with information on applying for fuel assistance and low-income discounted rates on your utilities, receiving protections on your utility accounts, negotiating payment plans with utility companies, information on weatherization and heating tips, & more)
  • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (Assists residents in reducing heating bills by sending a professional to do an energy inspection and make suggestions)
• Winter Heating Season Frequently Questions
  • Heat Assistance for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs, where and what you need to bringstrong
  • Utility Discounts – with NSTAR and National Grid
  • Other Types of Assistance including Oil Co-Ops and Energy Saving Tips
  • Utility Shut Off Protection - What is utility shut off protection? What benefits are available? MA laws prevent utility companies from shutting off services to low-income residents: 1-800-632-8175
• MassSAVE / 1-866-527-7283 (Provides year-round home energy solutions to save you money and improve your home’s energy performance)

Additional Resources 

Boston Emergency Shelter Commission / 617-635-4507 (The City of Boston Emergency Shelter Commission provides information and referrals for individuals and families who are in need of food assistance or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.)

Veteran Services / 617-635-3957 (A needs based assistance program available to Honorably discharged Veterans (form D.D. 214 required)! Eligibility determined in accordance with M.G.L. Ch 115, Boston residence required! Widows, Spouses and minor children of Veterans may also be eligible! (an application is needed to make determination))

Environment and Energy Resources for Residents / 617-635-4507 (Resources include a guide on “Lower Your Utility Bills and Green Your Home” and “Residential Energy Saving Tips”)

What to ask before you sign an oil heat contract?: A Publication of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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