SNAP Resources for Westwood Families

The federal government shutdown has impacted many families in our schools in a multitude of ways. Families enrolled in SNAP may have questions about what is happening with SNAP. The Department of Transitional Assistance is continuing to accept new applications and process recertifications. Families are encouraged to apply and maintain any existing participation in SNAP so that they have smoother access to benefits once the shutdown is over. DTA also expects that EBT cards will continue to function normally, such that any benefits rolled over from a prior month could still be accessed at a retailer. Additionally, the Economic Assistance programs (TAFDC and EAEDC) and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will continue normally. The SNAP eligibility changes related to immigration status and the updated SNAP work requirements are effective at the time of enrollment or recertification and will impact families on a rolling basis as of November 1.
 
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) has posted a detailed FAQ: November 2025 SNAP Updates | Mass.gov that is a good resource for the most up-to-date information.
 
We are providing additional community resources to help you navigate these circumstances:
 
Westwood Food Bank: 60 Nahatan Street, Westwood, MA 02090
 
Greater Boston Food Bank: Provides a list of resources for families in need across the Greater Boston area
 
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline and Mass 211 are available resources for families seeking support related to food
 
American Red Cross of Massachusetts: 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, and open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9:00am-12:00 pm
 
ABCD Food Access Centers: They operate five Food Access Centers for Boston residents in the following locations: Allston/Brighton, East Boston, Mattapan, Parker Hill/Fenway, and Roxbury/North Dorchester
 
Catholic Charities in Boston: Provides a list of emergency food resources, including Dorchester. You can also sign up for holiday food assistance
 
Fair Foods: Two Dollar A Bag Sites
 
Self Help, Inc: Removes barriers to ensure that opportunities are available for all residents to obtain health services, child care, education, housing, employment, and financial stability. Applications for heating assistance are now open. You can also call your utility providers directly, as many offer discounts if you qualify for TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP benefits, MassHealth, SSI, fuel assistance, or if your child is in the School Lunch Program or Head Start
 
Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) is continuing business as usual and will be posting any updates to mass.gov/wic.
 
We also wanted to highlight the following resources available to any Westwood family in need, particularly as the holiday season approaches:
 
Westwood Community Chest
 
Westwood Community Chest helps individuals and families facing financial difficulties by awarding funds towards basic needs such as medical expenses, utility payments, and housing costs. They offer two services:
 
Financial Assistance – families can apply for up to $1250 per calendar year to help cover the cost of basic needs (i.e,. rent, utilities, medical costs, clothing, etc.). The process is confidential, and applications are reviewed weekly. Apply online here!
 
Camperships – families can apply for up to $800 per child to help cover the cost of summer camp. Applications are reviewed in February, March, April, and May. There is a separate online application for this process. Many camps also offer independent scholarships, but deadlines may apply. Hale Reservation, Sarah Behn Basketball Camp, and Westwood Recreation have traditionally offered full and partial scholarships to families in need. Please contact each camp directly.
 
Westwood Youth and Family Services – The Holiday program connects local sponsors with
 
Westwood families and families of children in the Westwood Public Schools who are in need of support during the holidays. Sponsors provide gifts for the children that are chosen by their parents/caregivers in a confidential process managed by the department. The Birthday program provides gift cards to families with financial need so they can purchase birthday gifts for their children (ages 0-18). This program is open to all families in the Westwood Public Schools.
 
My Brother’s Keeper, an area charity, offers assistance to those in need in the area, providing food, furniture, and other forms of support. They also offer volunteer opportunities.
 
The Salvation Army – Register for Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution between October 27 and November 17, 2025, and Christmas Resources Register between November 18 and December 5, 2025.
 
Toys for Tots takes toy donations yearly and provides them as gifts for children in need.
 
Christmas in the City provides resources to the City of Boston’s homeless and in-need population. They host a yearly community event helping to provide a Christmas experience for them.
 
This helpful database lists many different types of holiday resources, ranging from limited financial assistance to holiday meals and toys. Other areas in Massachusetts are also represented in this list.
 
For those coping with grief during the holidays, Mass General Hospital offers this helpful tips and resources page. You can also find more support groups for children and family.
 
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts offers this list of family support groups to help those that may benefit from reaching out during the holidays. As always, the suicide prevention hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate support.