City and community partners distributed more than 3,200 turkeys and 35,000 pounds of food to residents
BOSTON - Monday, November 24, 2025 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu gathered with partners at Nuevo Dia, an adult day health center located in Jamaica Plain, to distribute turkeys to older adults ahead of Thanksgiving. This year, residents have faced unprecedented challenges because of the effects of the federal government shutdown, which caused a delay in SNAP benefits. Community organizations that work to eliminate food insecurity have also experienced challenges keeping food pantries stocked to support residents who rely on the resources. The annual turkey distribution is a continued effort by the City of Boston to ensure families have a warm meal during the holidays. The turkey and food distribution was a three-day operation led by the Community Engagement Cabinet and the Office of Cultural Affairs, who delivered more than 3,200 turkeys and 35,000 pounds of food to Boston residents in need.
“During an unprecedented period of growing food insecurity, it is more important than ever to come together this Thanksgiving,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am so grateful to our city departments and community partners for their coordinated efforts, reducing barriers for residents and their families to access the food they deserve to enjoy a stress-free holiday. This annual effort builds on our work to build a stronger food system for our community, making Boston a more accessible home for every resident.”
Turkeys and bags of non-perishable foods including rice, lentils, canned corn, beans, pasta, and more were hand-delivered to over 60 partners including local community and cultural organizations, churches, and Boston Housing Authority sites that then distributed to residents to help families celebrate the holidays with a fulfilling meal.
“The Community Engagement Cabinet’s annual turkey distribution is a key priority to ensure Boston residents have access to food in neighborhoods during the holiday,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of the Community Engagement Cabinet. “In these difficult times, it is important now more than ever to provide food to our neighbors in need, so they understand that the City of Boston has their back. I am grateful to our partners who helped us feed more than 3,200 families in our city.”
“Food has always been a powerful way to bring people together; it connects us to our roots, our families, and our culture,” said Alexandra Valdez, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office Cultural Affairs. “Through the Office of Cultural Affairs, we’re proud to amplify that power by ensuring families can enjoy meals that reflect who they are. This is our third year bringing culturally meaningful food to residents’ tables, and we are so thankful for the partners who stand with us and make this work possible.”
The City partnered with companies and community based organizations to source turkeys and food, including Stop & Shop, Amazon, Roche Bros., Shaw’s and Star Market, Red Sox, TD Garden, Boston Legacy Football Club, Commonwealth Kitchen, Toast.org, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1445, Goya, and Care Access.
"Amazon is honored to partner with the City of Boston to support families during the Thanksgiving season," said Jerome Smith, Head of Community Engagement for New England and Canada at Amazon. "Addressing food insecurity remains central to our community focus, and we're thankful to work alongside the Community Engagement Cabinet to bring joy and support to Boston residents this holiday season."
“TD Garden is proud to support our neighbors in the City of Boston, especially during the holiday season," said Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and COO of the Boston Bruins. "Our donation to the City's annual turkey drive, along with our Table of Friends dinner on the arena floor, are just a few of the ways we can help to provide a warm meal to those who need it most. We thank Mayor Wu for her leadership and dedication to the community all year long.”
“We’re proud to once again join Mayor Wu and the City of Boston to make sure families across our neighborhoods can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together,” said Sam Kennedy, President & CEO of the Boston Red Sox. “This time of year is a reminder of what it means to come together and give back, and we’re thankful for the Mayor’s partnership and the chance to carry on this great Boston tradition.”
“Boston Legacy FC is proud to partner with the City of Boston to support our neighbors during the holiday season,” said Jennifer Epstein, Controlling Manager of Boston Legacy Football Club. “As we look ahead to calling White Stadium our home in 2027, it means so much to us that this effort is rooted in the neighborhoods closest to where we’ll play. This time of year reminds us how powerful it is when we come together to support one another and give back.”
Boston’s emergency food system faced unprecedented demand during the pandemic and remains strained today, exacerbated by the delay in SNAP benefits. As food prices continue to soar, and Boston faces some of the highest grocery prices in the country, the City has taken coordinated action to support residents in need.
"At Roche Bros. Supermarkets, giving back to the communities we serve is central to our values," said Tristen Kendall-Barros, Vice President of Marketing at Roche Bros. Supermarkets. "We are honored to partner with the Mayor's Office again this year to ensure that more Boston families can gather around the table and share a Thanksgiving meal. Supporting this annual turkey drive is a meaningful way for us to demonstrate our commitment to our neighbors during the holiday season."
“The holiday season is a time when we bring people together, and it’s especially important that we support communities who may be facing hardship,” said Rafael Toro, National Director of Public Relations for Goya Foods. “Even a small gesture—like a warm meal—can make a meaningful difference. Goya is proud to stand with Boston in ensuring that every family feels cared for and supported during this holiday season."
"At Toast, we are dedicated to building a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world, with a focus on combating food insecurity. The increased demand on organizations fighting hunger and food insecurity is significant this holiday season, and our commitment to supporting our communities remains strong,” said Jackie Martin, Global Head of Social Impact at Toast. “We are delighted to partner with the City of Boston during Toast’s 5th Annual Season of Giving to support the City of Boston’s turkey drive.”
In addition to seasonal Thanksgiving Food distribution, the City of Boston ensures communities have access to fresh, healthy, culturally relevant, and affordable food all year long. This begins in schools, where all BPS students receive fresh, culturally-affirming meals at no cost. To support families and healthy habits, many Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) also provide after school meal programs and food assistance. Boston shoppers benefit from locally grown food at over 20 farmers markets as well as discounts through the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which makes fresh fruit and vegetables more affordable at participating neighborhood stores. The Age Strong Commission provides older adults with nutrition support and counseling, ensuring they have access to the quality food necessary to live healthy and strong lives. At over 40 dining sites across Boston’s neighborhoods, seniors, and their spouses can share a nutritious meal with others. Individuals who cannot leave their homes because of illness, disability, or frailty, or who have significant difficulty preparing meals, are also eligible to receive home-delivered meals.
The City of Boston encourages residents in need of food resources to call 311 or 617-635-4500. Community members in need can find multilingual Thanksgiving resources made in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice (OFJ) and the Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative at their Thanksgiving Resource webpage. To address ongoing food insecurity, the Office of Food Justice has a Food Resource Page, residents can visit the the Greater Boston Food Bank’s food pantry finder or call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. | 
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