Free Holiday Meals and Help Around Boston 2026
Free community dinners, holiday boxes, coats and help lines for neighbours in Boston and north, with the dates that matter: Salvation Army Boston's Thanksgiving turkey registration is already full, while its Christmas Castle sign-up opened Nov 9 and the Malden senior delivery request is due Friday, Nov 20.
- Malden senior Thanksgiving meal delivery request due
- Cambridge Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, 8 am to 4 pm
- Thanksgiving: community dinners in Malden, Winchester, Brookline
- Salvation Army Christmas Castle begins (through Dec 9)
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26 and Christmas is Friday, Dec 25. Each row names the host and where it is published. Where a host has not posted 2026 details, the row says so and shows last year's pattern labelled 2025. For heating costs, see our winter heating help guide.
Free Thanksgiving dinners
Community tables are open to anyone unless a row says otherwise. Hosts open early, so call ahead if you need a ride, a delivery or a special diet.
| Town | Host | When | Address | How to join and notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malden | Bread of Life and the Mayor's Office free community dinner | Thu, Nov 26, 12 to 2 pm | Malden High School, 77 Salem St | Free, dine in. Enter the cafeteria from Ferry St. near CVS. No sign-up is listed. | Bread of Life events |
| Malden | Home delivery for seniors and disabled residents | Thu, Nov 26. Request by Fri, Nov 20 | Delivered | Seniors who are not Mystic Valley Aging Services clients: call the number Bread of Life lists, 781-640-1320. MVAS clients: call your MVAS case manager. | Bread of Life events |
| Winchester | First Congregational Church community dinner | Thu, Nov 26, from 12:30 pm | 21 Church Street, Tucker Room | Free, open to all. Sign-up is welcome but walk-ins are fine. Tell the church ahead for gluten-free or vegetarian meals. | First Congregational Church of Winchester |
| Peabody | Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger | Not yet posted for 2026 | 71 Wallis Street | Free community supper Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri, 4:30 to 5:30 pm, open to any person able to join. Thanksgiving plans not posted: call Haven from Hunger at 978-531-1530. | Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger |
| Salem | Lifebridge community meals | Not yet posted for 2026 | 56 Margin Street | Free meals, lunch Mon to Sat 12 to 12:30 pm, dinner Mon to Sat 5:30 pm and Sun 4 pm. Call 978-744-0500 before holidays. | Lifebridge North Shore |
| Salem | City of Salem Thanksgiving meals list (covers Salem, Peabody, Lynn, Gloucester) | Not yet posted for 2026 | Various | The city posted its 2025 list on Nov 10, 2025, with every meal free and all welcome. The 2026 list is not posted yet on the city's News Flash. | City of Salem News Flash |
| Lynn | Brother's Deli | Not yet posted for 2026 | 41 Market St | In 2025 Brother's Deli served sit-down Thanksgiving meals 10 am to 2 pm, free and all welcome (City of Salem list). Phone 781-581-3363. | City of Salem News Flash |
| Lynn | My Brother's Table | Not yet posted for 2026 | 98 Willow St | Everyone is welcome. Regular hours Mon to Fri 12 to 6 pm, Sat and Sun 2 to 4:30 pm. In 2025 it served Thanksgiving meals 4 to 6 pm (City of Salem list). Phone 781-595-3224. | My Brother's Table |
| Lynn | Salvation Army Lynn Corps | Not yet posted for 2026 | 1 Franklin Street | Food pantry Tue, Wed and Fri, 9 to 11:30 am, open to all; clients may visit twice per month. Holiday meal details not posted. Phone 781-598-0673. | Salvation Army Lynn Corps |
| Everett | City of Everett | Not yet posted for 2026 | Not yet posted | No Thanksgiving dinner is listed on the city's events page. Call 311. | City of Everett events |
| Boston | Women's Lunch Place | Not yet posted for 2026. Regular hours Mon to Sat, 7 am to 2 pm | 67 Newbury Street | Women's day shelter that serves meals. Holiday hours not posted. Phone 617-267-1722. | Women's Lunch Place |
| Brookline | United Parish in Brookline community dinner | Thu, Nov 26. Doors 12:30 pm, dinner 1 pm | 210 Harvard Street | Free, open to all, family-style, first come first served. RSVP is helpful, not required: 617-277-6860. | United Parish in Brookline |
| Cambridge | Harvard Square Churches Meal Program | Hot meal every Thursday at 5 pm. Thanksgiving Day is a Thursday; holiday plans not posted | Zero Garden Street (Christ Church Cambridge fellowship hall) | Call 617-733-5099 to confirm the Nov 26 meal. | Harvard Square Churches Meal Program |
Rows marked 2025 show last year's details, not a promise for this year.
Turkey boxes and food pantries
Holiday boxes often need registration weeks ahead. Pantries have regular hours and a first-visit checklist.
| Town | Host | When | Address | How to sign up and notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Salvation Army Boston Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution | Sat, Nov 21 | Boston, by ZIP code | Registration is full and closed. Other help through your local corps. Call 339-502-5885 or email [email protected]. | Salvation Army Boston Holiday Help |
| Cambridge | Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive | Sat, Nov 21, 8 am to 4 pm | 71 Cherry Street | Call 617-547-4680 for details. Food pantry also open Wed to Sat. | Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House |
| Cambridge | Margaret Fuller food pantry | Wed 4 to 6:30 pm, Thu 2 to 5 pm, Fri 9 am to 12, Sat 10 am to 1 | 71 Cherry Street | Choose your own groceries. First visit: bring something with your name and an address from the past 3 months, or come without. | Margaret Fuller food pantry |
| Lowell | Salvation Army Lowell holiday assistance | Apply now. No deadline listed | 150 Appleton Street | Photo ID, proof of address, children's birth certificates (16 and under) and an email are needed. Families of 2 or more. Apply to one agency only. | Salvation Army Lowell holiday assistance |
| Peabody | Haven from Hunger food pantry | Mon, Tue, Fri 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Thu 12:30 to 2:30 and 6 to 7 pm | 71 Wallis Street | First visit: application, photo ID and mail from the past 30 days showing a Peabody, Salem or Lynnfield address. Ramp on the side. | Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger |
| Boston | Rosie's Place food pantry (women and their families) | Mon to Fri, 9 am to 4 pm, or until 350 guests are served | 887 Harrison Avenue | Fresh and shelf-stable groceries for women and their families. Phone 617-442-9322. | Rosie's Place food programs |
| Boston and nearby | Greater Boston Food Bank partner locator | Year-round | 190 towns and cities | Enter your ZIP code for pantries and meal programs. SNAP help: 617-598-5022. | Greater Boston Food Bank |
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and holiday help
Many hosts post Christmas plans in December. Daily programs keep serving through the holidays.
| Town | Host | When | Address | How to join and notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malden | Bread of Life and friends Christmas Day Dinner | Not yet posted for 2026 | Malden High School | In 2025 it ran 12 to 2 pm on Dec 25, no reservations, wheelchair accessible, with delivery for seniors. Check Bread of Life for 2026. | Bread of Life events |
| Boston | Rosie's Place dining room (women) | Every day, including holidays | 889 Harrison Avenue | Open 365 days a year. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on-site or to-go. Weekend brunch 10:30 am and dinner 3:30 pm. Phone 617-442-9322. | Rosie's Place food programs |
| Boston | Salvation Army Christmas Castle | Mon, Dec 7 to Wed, Dec 9 | Boston area, by ZIP code | Families with children 14 and under register for a time slot to get a food gift card and gifts. Registration opened Nov 9. | Salvation Army Boston Holiday Help |
| Salem | Lifebridge community meals | Call before Dec 24 and 25 | 56 Margin Street | Regular daily meals; the Day Center asks you to call ahead for holiday hours: 978-744-0500. | Lifebridge North Shore |
Winter coats and clothing
Coat giveaways are usually run through local corps and children's programs.
| Where | Host | When | Address | How to get one and notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Salvation Army coat drives | Fall (many corps hold coat drives) | Local corps | Many Salvation Army locations hold coat drives in the fall for winter. Ask your local corps. | Salvation Army Massachusetts |
Help lines and benefits
These statewide services are free and can point you to a meal, a pantry or a benefit near you.
| Where | Service | Hours | How to reach | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Mass 211 | 24 hours, every day | Call 2-1-1 or 877-211-6277 | Dial 2-1-1 then extension 21 for food. TTY 508-370-6277. Interpreters available. | Mass211 food security |
| Statewide | Project Bread FoodSource Hotline | Mon to Fri 8 am to 7 pm, Sat 10 am to 2 pm | Call or text 1-800-645-8333 | Free and private, 180 languages. Finds meals and pantries and helps with SNAP applications. | Project Bread FoodSource Hotline |
| Statewide | SNAP (food benefits) on Mass.gov | Decision within 30 days, some in 7 | Online | Apply on DTA Connect. A 30-second screener checks eligibility. Immigrants may apply for eligible family members. | Mass.gov SNAP |
| Statewide | Fuel assistance (HEAP) on Mass.gov | Heating season Nov 1 to Apr 30 | Local agency or online | Free, no application fee. Income up to 60% of state median. 1-800-632-8175 finds your agency. | Mass.gov HEAP |
| Statewide | Salvation Army Good Neighbor Energy Fund | Open now | Online | Utility assistance for qualifying families, listed as open for applications. | Salvation Army Massachusetts |
Your town and Mass 211
If your town is not listed above, one call finds what is open nearby.
| Towns | Service | Hours | How to reach | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andover, Bedford, Belmont, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Dracut | Mass 211 | 24 hours, every day | Phone | Call 2-1-1, extension 21, to find meals and pantries in your town, or ask your town's Council on Aging. | Mass211 food security |
| Lexington, Marblehead, Medford, Middleton, Nahant, North Reading, Reading, Revere | Mass 211 | 24 hours, every day | Phone | Call 2-1-1, extension 21, to find meals and pantries in your town, or ask your town's Council on Aging. | Mass211 food security |
| Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Tyngsborough | Mass 211 | 24 hours, every day | Phone | Call 2-1-1, extension 21, to find meals and pantries in your town, or ask your town's Council on Aging. | Mass211 food security |
| Wakefield, Westford, Wilmington, Winthrop, Woburn | Mass 211 | 24 hours, every day | Phone | Call 2-1-1, extension 21, to find meals and pantries in your town, or ask your town's Council on Aging. | Mass211 food security |
Common questions
Do I need to register for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving turkeys in Boston?
Yes. The Nov 21 distribution requires registration, and its page says registration is full and closed. Your local corps can point to other help.
Is the Malden Thanksgiving dinner open to everyone?
It is a free community dinner. Bread of Life and the Mayor's Office invite you to dine in at Malden High, 12 to 2 pm on Nov 26, and no sign-up is listed. Seniors and disabled neighbours can request a home delivery by Fri, Nov 20.
Is fuel assistance free to apply for?
Yes. Mass.gov says HEAP is 100% free with no application fee, and it asks you to report anyone charging one.
Sources
Every entry above links to the page it was read from. Each page was checked on November 10, 2026.
- Bread of Life eventsbreadoflifemalden.org · checked Nov 10
- First Congregational Church of Winchesterfcc-winchester.com · checked Nov 10
- Citizens Inn Haven from Hungercitizensinn.org · checked Nov 10
- Lifebridge North Shorelifebridgenorthshore.org · checked Nov 10
- City of Salem News Flashsalemma.gov · checked Nov 10
- My Brother's Tablemybrotherstable.org · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Lynn Corpseasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- City of Everett eventscityofeverett.com · checked Nov 10
- Women's Lunch Placewomenslunchplace.org · checked Nov 10
- United Parish in Brooklineunitedparishbrookline.org · checked Nov 10
- Harvard Square Churches Meal Programharvardsquaremeals.org · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Boston Holiday Helpeasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- Margaret Fuller Neighborhood Housemargaretfullerhouse.org · checked Nov 10
- Margaret Fuller food pantrymargaretfullerhouse.org · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Lowell holiday assistanceeasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- Rosie's Place food programsrosiesplace.org · checked Nov 10
- Greater Boston Food Bankgbfb.org · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Massachusettseasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- Mass211 food securitymass211.org · checked Nov 10
- Project Bread FoodSource Hotlineprojectbread.org · checked Nov 10
- Mass.gov SNAPmass.gov · checked Nov 10
- Mass.gov HEAPmass.gov · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Massachusettseasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- Salvation Army Lowelleasternusa.salvationarmy.org · checked Nov 10
- City of Boston holiday resources listboston.gov · checked Nov 10