UPDATED Nov. 19: The Housing Corporation of Arlington is again providing free holiday nourishment to those who apply in time.
Applicants need not reside in HCA-affiliated facilities, according to Luca Cassano, civic engagement coordinator for the nonprofit organization whose stated mission is "to provide affordable, stable housing and empower residents in order to build a supportive and equitable community."
The deadline to apply for free food for Thanksgiving was Monday, Nov. 13, via this simple online form. However, the one-page form also can be used to request Christmas meals; a deadline for that has not yet been set.
Thanksgiving baskets were to be picked up from the HCA office at 252 Mass. Ave. on Saturday, Nov. 18, between 2 and 5 p.m.
In response to a YourArlington query, Cassano clarified, "As of now, there is no formal deadline for Christmas registration. People can still use the current form to only register for Christmas meals. But after Thanksgiving is over, around early December, we plan to do another round of outreach, with a new form that covers only Christmas meals."
In its emailed message, HCA said it wishes to thank other area organizations that have helped to make these holiday-related programs possible. They are Apex Defense Academy of Burlington and Waltham, sponsoring the Thanksgiving baskets, and Temple Isaiah of Lexington and Temple Shir Tikvah of Winchester sponsoring for the Christmas meals.
For more information, those interested may call HCA at 781-859-5294 extension 4 or email
This news announcement was published Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, based on information from Luca Cassano, civic engagement coordinator at the local nonprofit agency Housing Corporation of Arlington, or HCA, and updated Nov. 19.
