Charity

Watertown Scouts Collecting Food Donations from Doorsteps

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Deion Howe and David Kinnear of Watertown Pack 30 and Troop 30 lift bins of sorted canned goods destined for the Watertown Food Pantry. This year they will pick up donations from people’s doorsteps. Pack 30 and Troop 30 are supporting the Watertown Food Pantry again this year, but as with everything in 2020, Scouting for Food will be different

Scouting for Food is a nationwide service challenge taken on by Boy Scouts of America, targeting food insecurity. In Watertown, the two BSA organizations have come together every November to get grocery lists in the hands of shoppers so they can help fill the shelves of the town-run food pantry. This year, with COVID-19 precautions in place, Scouting for Food will look a little different.

Around Town

Thanksgiving Food Drive Donations Being Accepted Items at Watertown Mall

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall will be hosting a Food Drive every Friday in November before Thanksgiving. On Fridays, between the hours of 10 AM – 11 AM and 3 PM – 4 PM the collection table will be set up inside the mall’s back hallway across from Carter’s and Target. The collected food will be donated to the Watertown Food Pantry. Items needed include, but are not limited to: canned goods, pasta/rice, coffee/tea, cooking oil, cold cereal/old fashioned oatmeal, non-perishable snacks for kids, etc. If you’d like to see a full list of the items needed please visit www.watertown-ma.gov/Watertown-Food-Pantry or also visit one of our mall informational pushcarts.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Help Neighbors Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020

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Mutual Aid, which is sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, sent out details about how to provide or request support:

As the Winter Holiday season begins, we want everyone to be able to celebrate with good food on the table. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/373WyM4aoCxDH8tL6 to support a family or request support in celebrating Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26th. Support can include a gift card to a grocery store or restaurant, a home-cooked meal, or grocery delivery. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sophia, the Community Coordinator at watertownmutualaid@waysideyouth.org or 617-744-9585. If you need other resources, contact the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program at 617-744-9585.

Around Town

Hundreds Donate to Food Pantry During Drive-Thru Food Drive

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The drive-thru food drive, organized by the Watertown Community Foundation, drew good traffic during the event on Oct. 17 at the food pantry. Watertown residents showed up in the hundreds to donate to the Watertown Food Pantry. The event was held on the afternoon of Oct. 17, and Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham said the event got a good response.

Charity

Restaurant Hosting ‘Hops for Hope’ to Raise Money to Fight Breast Cancer

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The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the new City Works in Arsenal Yards hosts Hops for Hope this October. Here’s how it works:

Throughout the month, City Works will donate $1 of every Bottlenectar beer sold to the Lynn Sage Foundation. Bottlenectar, a light bodied pale ale showcasing unique Huell Melon hops, is a special collaboration beer between Bottleneck and Goose Island.To match the donation, Goose Island will also donate $1 for every Bottlenectar beer sold.Guests rest assured that they are in a safe environment, supporting their neighborhood restaurant, and supporting breast cancer research

To date, Bottleneck Management, which owns and operates City Works Eatery & Pour House, has raised over $10,000 for the Lynn Sage Scholars Program! Might Hops for Hope be of interest for a feature with Watertown News, or any roundups on Breast Cancer Awareness Month that you might be working on?

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Celebrates Reaching $100K in Resiliency Fund

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The Watertown Community Foundation has given out these lawn signs to people who have donated to help others in town during COVID-19. The Watertown Community Foundation announced it has raised more than $100,000 for the Community Resilience Fund, which was created in to help community members during the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown. Be sure to check out the video, which provides a nice tour of Town and features many familiar faces. The Watertown Community Foundation sent out the following announcement:

In March of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown our town but it did not shutdown the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) or our community spirit. WCF worked quickly to establish the Watertown Resilience Fund with an initial amount of $40,000 from the foundation and personal contributions of board members. The Community Resilience Fund has grown to over $110,000 thanks to this amazing community. These funds have been used to help our neighbors who have faced significant financial challenges due to the pandemic and supported them with everything from grocery gift cards to emergency rental assistance. 

But, we haven’t stopped there. In a time when everyone was feeling like they needed a little love but couldn’t be near so many of their loved ones, we started the “We  Watertown” campaign. So many people in our community LOVE Watertown and we want to spread the LOVE! Our yard signs are popping up all over town. You can request one by emailing: info@watertownfoundation.org. 

We hope you enjoy this video of some of our friends around town sharing their love of our community. 

https://spark.adobe.com/video/FmvStT0SZrUXi 

We are always looking for ways to support and partner with organizations and businesses in town. BLING Boutique in Watertown Square is our latest partner, selling beautiful “We  Watertown” stemless glasses and wish bracelets. A portion of the proceeds come directly back to the Watertown Community Foundation. Cheers to loving our wonderful town! 

Give where you live. Donate, volunteer, support a local business or just simply give love.

Around Town

11 Watertown Residents Joining Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, Registration Open

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The following announcement was provided by the the Jimmy Fund Walk:

Eleven residents from Watertown will choose their own route on October 4th for the annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. Participants are encouraged to walk wherever they choose: around their neighborhood, a local hiking trail, a treadmill, or anywhere else they are comfortable. Betsy Gartrell, Alexandra Kontes, Martha Krache, David Morris, Kate Morris, Garry Nolan, Kimberly O’Hagan, Brendan O’Hagan, Thomas Opar, Lisa Soo Hoo, and one Watertown resident, along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in virtual programming during the Walk that aims to recreate the most inspiring elements of Walk day. While the event will not physically bring walkers together along the famed Boston Marathon® course, it will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  The event has raised more than $145 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 30+ year history. “While we can’t see everyone in person this year, we are excited for the virtual programing which will give participants the opportunity to support breakthroughs in cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” said Zack Blackburn, Director of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.