Toys for Tots - Massachusetts
- Coverage: All Massachusetts counties
- What: New, unwrapped toys for children ages 0-12
- When: October through December
- Local Coordinators:
- Boston Metro: Multiple locations throughout Greater Boston
- Springfield: Western Massachusetts coverage
- Worcester: Central Massachusetts coverage
- Cape Cod: Barnstable County coverage
- Website: www.ma-toysfortots.org
- Phone: Contact local coordinators through website
The Salvation Army Massachusetts
- Major Locations:
- Boston Kroc Center (650 Dudley St, Boston)
- Springfield Corps (170 Pearl St, Springfield)
- Worcester Corps (640 Main St, Worcester)
- New Bedford Corps (35 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford)
- Programs: Angel Tree, Christmas Kettle Campaign
- Registration: Typically begins in November
- Phone: (617) 542-5420 (Boston headquarters)
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
- Programs: Holiday assistance for SNAP and TANF recipients
- What: Toy vouchers and gift cards
- How: Contact your local DTA office
- Website: www.mass.gov/dta
Boston Public Schools
- Program: Holiday Family Support Program
- What: Toys and gifts for students in need
- How: Contact school social workers or main office
- Coverage: All BPS students
Boston Centers for Youth & Families
- Locations: 35+ community centers throughout Boston
- Programs: Holiday toy distributions at various centers
- Notable Centers:
- Roxbury Community Center (70 Warren St)
- East Boston Community Center (68 Central Sq)
- Roslindale Community Center (6 Cummins Hwy)
- Phone: (617) 635-4920
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
- Programs: Holiday assistance and toy distributions
- Locations: Multiple neighborhood offices
- What: Toys, clothing, and food assistance
- Phone: (617) 348-6000
- Website: www.bostonabcd.org
Western Massachusetts
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
- Programs: Holiday giving programs
- Coverage: Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin counties
- What: Toys and family assistance
- Phone: (413) 732-2858
ServiceNet (Northampton)
- Programs: Holiday assistance programs
- What: Toys and gifts for families in need
- Coverage: Hampshire and Franklin counties
- Phone: (413) 586-7525
Gray House (Springfield)
- Programs: Holiday toy distribution
- What: Toys for children in Springfield area
- Address: 1550 Main St, Springfield
- Phone: (413) 739-5498
Central Massachusetts
Worcester Community Action Council
- Programs: Holiday assistance programs
- What: Toys, clothing, and food assistance
- Address: 484 Main St, Worcester
- Phone: (508) 754-1176
United Way of Central Massachusetts
- Programs: Holiday giving campaigns
- What: Toys and family support
- Phone: (508) 757-5631
North Shore Community Action Programs (NSCAP)
- Programs: Holiday assistance
- Coverage: Essex County
- What: Toys and family support
- Phone: (978) 744-0509
South Shore/Cape Cod
South Shore Community Action Council
- Programs: Holiday toy programs
- Coverage: Plymouth County
- What: Toys and gifts for children
- Phone: (508) 747-7575
Cape Cod Children's Place
- Programs: Holiday assistance
- What: Toys for children on Cape Cod
- Phone: (508) 771-6507
Faith-Based Organizations
Major Churches with Holiday Programs
- Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston): (617) 542-5682
- Trinity Church (Boston): (617) 536-0944
- South Congregational Church (Springfield): (413) 739-7734
- All Saints Episcopal Church (Worcester): (508) 752-3766
Islamic Organizations
- Islamic Society of Boston: Multiple locations
- Islamic Center of New England (Sharon): (781) 784-4836
Jewish Organizations
- Jewish Family & Children's Service:
- Boston: (781) 647-5327
- Springfield: (413) 737-2601
How to Access Resources
Massachusetts 211 Service
- Phone: Dial 2-1-1
- Website: www.mass211.org
- What: Connects you to local resources and assistance programs
- Available: 24/7 in multiple languages
Documentation Typically Required
- Massachusetts ID or driver's license
- Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters)
- Proof of residency (utility bill, lease)
- Children's birth certificates
- Social Security cards (for some programs)
Key Registration Periods
- October: Many programs begin accepting applications
- November 1-15: Peak registration period for most programs
- December 1: Many programs stop accepting new applications
- Mid-December: Toy distribution typically occurs
Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP)
- What: Many MEFAP sites also distribute toys during holidays
- Find locations: Visit www.mass.gov/mefap
- Coverage: Statewide
WIC Massachusetts
- Programs: Some WIC offices coordinate with local toy drives
- What: Toys for WIC-eligible families
- Phone: (617) 624-6100
Massachusetts Head Start Programs
- Programs: Holiday assistance for enrolled families
- Coverage: Statewide
- Find programs: Visit www.mass.gov/headstart
Additional Massachusetts Resources
Local Food Banks with Holiday Programs
- Greater Boston Food Bank: (617) 427-5200
- Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: (413) 247-9738
- Worcester County Food Bank: (508) 842-3663