Basic Needs

By donating to United Way, you’re providing people with immediate, emergency assistance such as food and shelter. We strive to ensure every community member has access to nutritious food, proper shelter, and means of prosperity: affordable child care, medical and dental care, and more. We want to provide the community with skills and resources to gain and maintain employment. These needs are important, and we are here to help.

At United Way of South Central MA, our priority is ensuring basic needs are met. Hunger affects 1 in 9 children in Massachusetts. In Worcester County, there is an 8% food insecurity rate, and shockingly, more than 35% of those people don’t qualify for SNAP or government food benefits. Your donations stay local and help relieve food insecurity for your neighbors, colleagues, and peers. Some of the programs we support for food needs are:

Tri-Valley Inc Meals on Wheels Program

Catholic Charities

It is imperative that all individuals in our community have a safe place to live. Everyone should have access to a violence-free, healthy, safe, sustainable housing. Seniors and people living with special needs should have the support necessary to live safely in the environment best for their needs. United Way of South Central MA is dedicated to local housing aid through these great organizations:

American Red Cross

Catholic Charities

Open Sky Community Services

St. Luke’s Guesthouse

Health needs are great in our community, and all too often, members put off their health needs to care for others. We believe everyone should have access to medical and dental care. In order to help, we directly support these organizations bringing healthcare to the community:

Family Health Care of Worcester

Visiting Nurses Association of Central MA

Massachusetts 211

Mass 211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It serves as a confidential resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. Mass 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Residents can contact the program toll free at (877) 211-6277 or search the Mass 211 Resource Locator here. Mass 211 is funded by the United Way in partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.