Individuals and organizations within Melrose as well as the City's neighboring towns are working to ensure all community members receive the sustenance, fellowship, and resources they need this Holiday season. Below, please find a list of timely Thanksgiving resources as well as a few December Holidays and year-round resources that range from sit-down community dinners, to grab & go Thanksgiving meals, to holiday gift assistance from the Stoneham and Wakefield Boys & Girls Clubs.
Holiday Resources
November 16 — December Holidays
Boys & Girls Club Holiday Assistance Program
Community members that need some holiday assistance such as purchasing gifts for their children or meal assistance for Thanksgiving or any of the December holidays this season can complete this form to receive help https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfo3Dsqioc1aWKyO3AeNjjz9Er7P2k13iT8SZqzhIfQdU5fFw/viewform. For more information, contact the Boys & Girls Club at holidays@bgcstoneham.org
November 17
St. Joseph’s Table Meal Distribution at St. Joseph’s Parish
173 Albion Street, Wakefield, 5 — 5:30 p.m.
Meals will be offered as a sit-down dinner or community members can take their meals to go. For more information, community members can call St. Joseph’s Parish at 781-245-5770.
November 18
Community Dinner at Faith Evangelical Church
Faith Evangelical Church, 200 Franklin Street, Melrose, 6 – 7 p.m.
Every third Friday of the month, the Faith Evangelical Church hosts a community dinner where all are welcome to enjoy a warm dinner and fellowship. In addition, the Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, located in the church, is open to the community on Fridays from 10 —11:30 a.m. and the third Friday of the month from 5—6 p.m. For more information, community members can call Faith Evangelical Church at 781-662-8226 or email info@faithchurchac.org.
November 20
Clothing Closet at First Parish Congregational Church
First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Wakefield, 1—2 p.m.
Community members are invited to visit the Clothing Closet, which provides free clothing for all ages, is located on the bottom floor of the church. For more information, call the First Parish Congregational Church at 781-245-1539.
Community Dinner at First Parish Congregational Church
First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Wakefield, 2 p.m.
The members and friends of First Parish Congregational Church invite community members to be their guests for a warm meal and fellowship. Dinner, which will be served at 2 p.m. in the downstairs dining room, is free for those in need, as well as the elderly and the lonely in Wakefield & surrounding communities. For more information, call the First Parish Congregational Church at 781-245-1539.
November 24
Scott Macaulay's Grab & Go Thanksgiving Meals for Melrose Residents
Macaulay's House of Vacuum Cleaners, 102 Tremont Street
For the 37th year in a row, Melrose resident and business owner Scott Macaulay is providing Thanksgiving Grab & Go Meals via a drive-through to Melrose residents only who are alone on Thanksgiving Day. To reserve a meal and receive the time of the drive-through, residents must call Macaulay at 781-662-7235.
The Francis and Barbara Brown Thanksgiving Dinner
Malden High School, 77 Salem St., 12—2 p.m.
Bread of Life and the Office of Mayor Gary Christenson invite community members to a free community dinner. Take-home meals will be available for pick-up at 1:30 p.m. To volunteer or to donate roasted turkeys, apply online at www.breadoflifemalden.org/volunteer. For more information, call 781-391-0404.
November 28
Clothing Closet by Sheperd’s Table Ministry
First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Wakefield, 5—6 p.m.
A Ministry of the First Baptist Church held at the First Parish Congregational Church invites community members to peruse the community clothing closet, which provides free clothing for all ages, and is located on the bottom floor of the church. For more information, call the First Parish Congregational Church at 781-245-1539.
Community Dinner at Shepherd’s Table Ministry
A Ministry of the First Baptist Church held at the First Parish Congregational Church invites community members enjoy some fellowship and a free community dinner. Dinner will be served in the downstairs dining room at 5 p.m. The dinner is free for those in need as wel as the elderly and the lonely in Wakefield & surrounding communities. For more information, call the First Parish Congregational Church at 781-245-1539.
Year-Round Resources
Pantry of Hope
First Baptist Church. 561 Main Street in Melrose, Tuesdays from 3—5 p.m.
Melrose community members can visit the Pantry of Hope food pantry on Tuesdays from 3—5 p.m., but are encouraged to firs call the pantry at 781-665-4470.
Melrose Emergency Fund
Mayor’s Office, Melrose City Hall, 562 Main Street, Melrose
The Office of Mayor Paul Brodeur provides financial relief to Melrose residents and families in a state of financial emergency through the Melrose Emergency Fund. Since its founding in 1996, the Melrose Emergency Fund has been connecting and providing Melrose residents in need with the resources, programs and the financial assistance they need to create an equitable and collaborative community. Most of the help the fund provides is for basic needs—food, fuel, utilities, and rent. Melrose residents in need of financial assistance, please call the Council on Aging at 781-665-4304, or visit the Mayor’s Office, Milano Center, or the City's website for a Melrose Emergency Fund application.
Interface Referral Service
1-888-244-6843
Take the stress out of finding mental health and wellness services. Melrose residents of all ages can use the free, confidential INTERFACE referral service to get matched with licensed mental health and wellness providers. Each referral best meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the resident. Call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-888-244-6843, https://interface.williamjames.edu
