Gardner

Local offices in Gardner

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  DTA Self-Service Kiosk at Gardner Family Resource Center

  205 School Street, Suite 301, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • DTA benefit self-serviceUse the kiosk to access DTA Connect for limited benefit services; no DTA staff work at this location.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Housing help · City office

  Gardner Housing Authority

  116 Church Street, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • Public housing and housing assistanceThe Housing Authority helps income-eligible families, older adults, and people with disabilities find housing opportunities.
  Call 978-632-6627DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gardnerhousing.org

• Utilities · City office

  Water / Sewer Billing

  50 Manca Drive, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • Water and sewer billsContact the billing office with questions about your water or sewer bill.Read more
  Call 978-630-4015DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gardner-ma.gov

• Older adults · City office

  Gardner Senior Center / Council on Aging

  294 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • Senior programs and supportThe center offers older adults programs, meals, and help connecting with services.
  • Medical transportationAsk the center about transportation options for older residents.
  Call 978-630-4067DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gardner-ma.gov

• Library · City office

  Levi Heywood Memorial Library

  55 West Lynde Street, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • Library servicesVisit the library to borrow materials and use library programs and resources.
  Call 978-632-5298DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gardner-ma.gov

• Local office · City office

  Gardner City Hall

  95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA 01440

  Help here

  • City services and informationContact City Hall to find city departments, public services, and staff.Read more
  Call 978-632-1900DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gardner-ma.gov

City of Gardner website

Checked on October 9, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Gardner first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  The Centre Food Hub Food Pantry

  The Centre for Faith, Art, and Justice

  49 miles from the center of Gardner

  3702 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

  Hours

  • Tue12 PM to 5 PM
  • Wed12 PM to 5 PM
  • Thu3 PM to 6:30 PM
  • Fri12 PM to 5 PM
  • Sat11 AM to 2 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who needs free groceries, as long as the pantry has capacity

  What to bring: Sign up online

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 617-971-8840DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on thecentrejp.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Food Access Center (Food Pantry), West End

  ABCD Action for Boston Community Development

  49 miles from the center of Gardner

  75 Blossom Court, Boston, MA 02114

  Hours

  • Mon9 AM to 4 PM
  • Tue9 AM to 4 PM
  • Wed9 AM to 4 PM
  • Thu9 AM to 4 PM
  Call 617-523-8125DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on bostonabcd.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Sojourner House Food Pantry

  Sojourner House

  49 miles from the center of Gardner

  85 Rockland Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

  Hours

  • Fri12 PM to 1 PM

  Who can come: Open to the public

  What to bring: No referral is needed

  Call 617-442-0590DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on sojournerhouseboston.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Friday Night Supper Program

  49 miles from the center of Gardner

  351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

  Hours

  • Fri5 PM to 7 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who would like a free meal

  What to bring: No registration or sign up is required

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on fridaynightsupper.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Haley House Food Pantry

  Haley House

  50 miles from the center of Gardner

  23 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116

  Hours

  • Thu9:30 AM to 11 AM

  Who can come: Neighbors with limited food access

  Call 617-236-8132DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on haleyhouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Haley House Soup Kitchen

  Haley House

  50 miles from the center of Gardner

  23 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116

  Hours

  • Mon6:15 AM to 9:30 AM. Meal served 08:00-09:30
  • Tue6:15 AM to 9:30 AM. Meal served 08:00-09:30
  • Wed6:15 AM to 9:30 AM. Meal served 08:00-09:30
  • Thu6:15 AM to 9:30 AM. Meal served 08:00-09:30
  • Fri6:15 AM to 9:30 AM. Meal served 08:00-09:30; 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM. Afternoon meal service
  • Sun10 AM to 2:30 PM. Meal served 12:00-13:30

  Who can come: Everyone is invited

  Call 617-236-8132DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on haleyhouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Gardner

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Worcester County

Gardner is in Worcester County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Public health · State office

  Worcester WIC Program Main Clinic

  18 Chestnut Street, Suite 440, Worcester, MA 01608

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportApply for food and nutrition support if you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or care for a young child.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• State office

  Worcester Transitional Assistance Office

  50 Southwest Cutoff, Worcester, MA 01604

  Help here

  • Apply for food and cash assistanceGet help applying for SNAP food benefits and cash assistance.Apply online
  • Get help with benefitsGet help with a DTA case, documents, or an EBT card.
  Call 508-767-3100DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• State office

  Southbridge Transitional Assistance Office

  80 Optical Drive, Southbridge, MA 01550

  Help here

  • Apply for food and cash assistanceGet help applying for SNAP food benefits and cash assistance.Apply online
  • Get help with benefitsGet help with a DTA case, documents, or an EBT card.
  Call 508-765-2400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Local office · Regional office

  Mass 211

  Help here

  • Community services information and referralCall any time to find health and human services and other local help.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass211.org

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Worcester Trial Court Law Library

  184 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Worcester, MA 01608

  Help here

  • Legal information and researchUse legal books and online resources or ask a law librarian for legal information.
  Call 508-831-2525DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging

  330 Southwest Cutoff, Suite 203, Worcester, MA 01604

  Help here

  • Aging services and referralsGet connected to local services and support for older adults and caregivers.
  Call 508-852-5539DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorconnection.org

Everything in Worcester County

Massachusetts programs by kind of help

These are run by Massachusetts and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026