Watertown Community Foundation Distributes $43,000 in Donations to Food Pantries  

Watertown, MA: December 17, 2025 –  

The Watertown Community Foundation received $43,000 in donations to support Watertown’s food pantries since the City of Watertown’s Community Food Drive began on October 31. These funds have been distributed to the Watertown Food Pantry and Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry to purchase and distribute food at each pantry.  

Residents from Watertown, Belmont and nearby communities also continue to contribute shelf-stable pantry goods at multiple drop off locations in our schools and across the city during the Community Food Drive.  An estimated one to two tons of food each week have been distributed among the food pantries, the Watertown Community Fridge, and, as needed, to the city’s social service providers since November 10.  Food may still be dropped off at city locations through December 30.

“We have been humbled by the compassionate, generous response of the Watertown community. Community members have responded quickly and generously to provide food to neighbors during this crisis,” said Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation. “The Watertown Community Foundation is honored to make it possible for people to give directly to the food pantries so they can purchase food to stock their shelves. Thank you to the Watertown community and the city employees, pantry employees and volunteers, and community volunteers who have stretched to make sure people have the food they need.”

“The City of Watertown with support from the Watertown Community Foundation has been coordinating weekly food pick-ups from 10 food donation sites across the city.  The Human Services Department will continue to lead this effort through December, but not without the help and support of other city departments, including the Library, Public Buildings, Police and Fire,” said Jenna Bancroft, Director, Department of Human Services. “This was truly a team effort, including the dozens of community volunteers who joined us to collect, sort, load cars deliver food to the pantries, the Community Fridge and other locations.”

The Community Food Drive began in response to cuts in funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and has continued as families recover and adapt to new benefit requirements. SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to their health and well-being. More than 1,600 Watertown families rely on SNAP each month. 

To participate, you can donate unexpired, non-perishable food at a drop-off location or make a monetary donation on the Watertown Community Foundation website. The last day to drop off food at a school location will be Friday, December 19. If you are interested in providing assistance to vulnerable Watertown residents to help with other emergency needs like fuel or rent, we suggest donating to the Fund for the Most Vulnerable, supporting the Foundation’s Essential Needs grants, or contributing in other ways. 

For more information on food assistance resources, visit Watertown’s Human Services Department or call or text Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (counselors can assist callers in 180 languages).

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About Watertown Community Foundation 

The Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown through the transformative power of community giving. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city. Started with funds from the sale of the Watertown Arsenal property in 2003 and powered by generous donations from Watertown residents and businesses, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants. We are committed to convening local stakeholders, creating cross-sector collaborations, and breaking down barriers to bring people together to turn philanthropy into action. See our list of 2025 grantees here. For more info, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

WCF Board of Directors: Lauren Coughlin Unsworth and Mary Ann Mulligan, Co-Presidents; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Eileen Hsü-Balzer; Nathalie Highland; Heather Leary; Kathryn Madden; Christina Murphy; Jennifer Nicholson, Anthony Paolillo; Dwayne Parmley; Leah Pennino; Robert Shay; and David Siegel.