CEOC has fought this battle in Cambridge for 60 years, but it appears our toughest years are yet to come. With your support behind us, we are confident we’ll be able to fill the gaps and keep our food pantry full of nutritious food.

Thank you for continuing to help us fight hunger and poverty in our community!

Tina Alu

Executive Director

First, They Listen: Cambridge City Council Candidates Forum

Date: Thursday, October 23rd

Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. (Doors open 5:30)

Location: YWCA Cambridge, 7 Temple Street, Cambridge, MA (Central Square) 

Hosts: CEOC, YWCA Cambridge, and Cambridge Community Foundation

Don’t miss this important opportunity to hear directly from the candidates—and from community members—about where they stand on key issues. Childcare and interpretation is available upon request, and registration is appreciated but not required. Please click here for more information, to request childcare or interpretation, and to let us know you’re coming.



Submit a Square to Our Community Quilt!

As CEOC continues to commemorate our 60th year of service, we’ve asked community members to personally commit to doing at least one thing in 2025 to fight poverty. Many of you have also shared your pledges and hopes on our Community Quilt.

If you're still thinking about your commitment for the year, please consider donating to CEOC's mission in support of our life-changing programs for our neighbors. And if you’d like to add a square to the quilt, just send a note with a few words about fighting poverty in Cambridge or stop by 11 Inman Street from 9am-5pm Monday through Thursday or 9am-1pm on Friday.



Backyard Tai Chi for Pantry Patrons

Fifteen food pantry patrons participated in morning tai chi classes in CEOC’s shady backyard this summer while waiting for the pantry to open. We've had 5 sessions so far and will continue to offer the class every other week in the fall, with CEOC staff providing interpretation in Amharic, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Tai chi is a mind-body exercise that originated in ancient China and is often described as "meditation in motion." It’s a very adaptable practice, suitable for all abilities, that builds strength, balance, and flexibility.

We have loved all the positive feedback about how leader Ellen DeGenova’s gentle approach is helping participants de-stress and unwind, and we hope to bring the program back next summer.



Journey to Hope included in APHA Presentation

This fall, CEOC's Journey to Hope program will be featured in a presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will be presenting on several Massachusetts-based models of psychosocial care for immigrant communities — including ours — as part of a larger panel called "The Role of Community Engagement and Multidisciplinary Initiatives in Advancing Health of Immigrants, Refugees, and Forcibly Displaced Populations." Thank you to everyone who has helped make it possible for the results of our work to reach this important audience.

Summer 2025 Outreach

Thanks to Community Engagement Coordinator Jenny Andre-Jean (second from left) and our dedicated staff, CEOC had our most successful summer of outreach ever this year, sharing information and answering questions at more than 15 events from June through September. Events included Hoops N Health, Cambridge Arts River Festival, Fresh Pond Apartments Summer Party, HRI and Cambridge Public Schools back-to-school events, and several info sessions at affordable housing buildings around the city.