Jenzabar University

Programs and services for food assistance and food insecurity.

• QCC HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Center The Quinsigamond Community College HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Center provides food for students in need as well as resources to help with other challenges. We are run by knowledgeable, compassionate student volunteers. Our volunteers work hard to help clients find the resources they need in other areas of their lives; learning, fuel assistance, housing and much more. 

• Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program The Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) was established in 1995 to ensure that citizens in need have access to a supply of quality food in the Commonwealth. The program is implemented through a unique partnership between the state and a private, non-profit food distribution network made up of four regional food banks. The resources noted below are to help find or sign up for food based resources in your area.

• Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) provides 1 in 8 of Massachusetts residents with food and nutritional assistance, cash assistance, and employment supports. For information on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, click here. 

• Food Pantries in Worcester  A directory of Food Banks, Soup Kitchens, and non-profit organizations in Worcester committed to fighting hunger. 

• Food Pantries in Southbridge  A directory of Food Banks, Soup Kitchens, and non-profit organizations in Southbridge committed to fighting hunger. 

• Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) WCFB is the region’s leading anti- hunger organization distributing over 6 million pounds of donated food and grocery product in partnership with food donors, financial supporters, and volunteers. 

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | Food and Nutrition Service The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five. 

• The Canal District Farmers Market gives Massachusetts food vendors and farmers a place to come together and celebrate good, hard, honest work - the work done by the hands of our neighbors.
• SNAP is a nutrition program for families and individuals that meet certain income and resource guidelines. SNAP benefits help you buy nutritious food for your family. You can be working and still qualify for SNAP benefits. If you qualify for SNAP benefits you can use these benefits to purchase food at most grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.