Smile, Woonsocket!

Updates, Events, and More

November 2025

Greetings!

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Here is what is going on in the city for the Month of November:

• November 1, 8am-noon - Eco Depot Collection Day at 1117 River Street
• November 1, 9am-noon - Coats for Kids coat drive at St. James Episcopal 24 Hamlet Ave.
• November 2, 10am-4pm - Christmas Bazaar at St. Stanislaus Church,174 Harris Ave.
• November 3, 10am - Food distribution at Thundermist Parking Lot, 356 Clinton St.
• November 3, 7pm - City Council Meeting at Harris Hall 169 Main St.
• November 5, 8:30-930am - Welcome Wednesday Networking Coffee Hour hosted by the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce at the Woonsocket Education Center, 115 Main St.
• November 6, 5-7pm - Open House Future Student Night at WACTC, 400 Alysworth Ave.
• November 8, 9am-4pm - Holy Trinity Christmas Bazaar at 1371 Park Ave.
• November 8 & 9, 9pm-3pm - St. Agatha's Christmas Bazaar at 34 Joffre St.
• November 9, 12-4pm - Woonsocket Elks Veterans Dinner at 380 Social St.
• November 10, 6-8pm - Rotary Beer & Wine Tasting at the Museum of Work & Culture
• November 11, 11am - Veteran's Day Celebration, UVC Par, Davison Ave.
• November 15, 8-11:45am - National Recycle Day Event at 943 River Street
• November 15, 9am-3pm - Woonsocket High School Holiday Spotlight Craft Fair
• November 15, 8:30am-2pm - Holly Jolly Bazaar at St. Joe's Parish
• November 16, 12-2pm - Walks in Woonsocket at WWII Veterans Memorial Park
• November 17, 7pm - City Council Meeting at Harris Hall 169 Main St.
• November 19, 6:30pm - Lops Bingo to Benefit New Beginnings
• November 20, 6-8pm - I <3 Woonsocket at The Historical Society, 42 South Main St.
• November 27 - Happy Thanksgiving! City Hall will be closed in observance of the holiday
• November 28 - City Hall will be closed in observance of the holiday
• November 29, 10am-2pm - Toy Drive with WPD & Knights of Columbus at St. Joe's Parish
• November 29 - Small Business Saturday! Shop at our local small businesses!

Residents Helping to Keep Pantries Stocked

With the ongoing government shutdown impacting SNAP benefits, more than 11,700 Woonsocket residents may face food insecurity beginning November 1st. The City of Woonsocket is calling on residents, community groups, and businesses who are able to help support local food pantries during this critical time. “Our community has always shown tremendous compassion and strength in times of need,” said Mayor Chris Beauchamp “Right now, we’re asking everyone who can to step up once again and help ensure no one in Woonsocket goes hungry.” Local food pantries are urgently in need of non-perishable food donations. Some pantries are also able to accept fresh, refrigerated, or frozen foods.

If interested in becoming a donation site, hosting a food drive, or arranging a pick-up can contact Margaux Morisseau, Human Services Director at 401-767-9282 or mmorisseau@woonsocketri.gov.

Besides the pantries, nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the

• WOC, 115 Main St.
• City Hall, Harris Hall 3rd fl.,169 Main St.
• Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, 285 Main St.
• WNRI, 786 Diamond Hill Rd.
• WOON 985 Park Ave.
• The Post Office, 127 Social St.
• Verified Barber Shop, 534 Elm

No One in Woonsocket Will Go Hungry

As the federal government shutdown continues, the City of Woonsocket remains committed to ensuring that no resident goes hungry. City officials are actively coordinating with local food pantries, community organizations, faith-based groups, and state partners to provide meals, groceries, and essential resources to anyone in need. Together, we’re working to strengthen our support network, share resources, and make sure help is available to every household affected by the shutdown. Updates on food distribution sites and assistance programs will be shared regularly through the city’s Facebook page. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please reach out - help is here, and our community stands together.

Data In Our Backyard

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT presented Data in Your Backyard: Woonsocket, a briefing on how the city is doing across key factors that affect children and families. Woonsocket has made significant progress in areas such as early childhood education and access to healthcare. However, the data also highlighted several challenges that still need attention:

• Woonsocket has the highest child poverty rate in RI
• 272 children were identified as homeless by Woonsocket Public Schools, up from 215 the previous year.
• In 2014, 213 Woonsocket children were reported as victims of abuse or neglect.
• Chronic absenteeism remains a serious concern in local schools.
• Only 62% of high school students are graduating within four years.

While the data shows both progress and areas for improvement, it underscores the continued need for community collaboration and investment to ensure every child in Woonsocket has the opportunity to thrive.

City of Woonsocket Holds First Tax Sale in Years

On October 15, 2025, the City Treasurer conducted the first Tax Sale in several years at City Hall. The public auction offered 368 parcels of real estate to the highest bidders to recover outstanding real estate taxes and assessments, along with applicable costs, interest, and fees. Each parcel was sold for the amount of taxes assessed. Property owners were informed that if their property was sold at the tax sale, they have one year to redeem it through the Collector’s Office or directly through the tax sale purchaser. To redeem, owners must pay the taxes and/or assessments owed, plus a 10% penalty on the tax sale amount, and 1% interest per month beginning in the seventh month after the sale.

To help residents better understand the process, the City has produced this informational video explaining the tax sale procedure. The City is committed to transparency and community education, making important municipal processes easier for everyone to navigate and participate in.

Downtown Woonsocket is Getting Ready to Bloom

On October 19th, 56,250 flower bulbs were distributed for planting in and around Main Street as part of the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative’s “Big Dig” initiative. Funded through the Bloom Grant, this exciting project is bringing vibrant color and new life to Main Street, the bike path, River Island Park, and locations across the city. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and community partners, thousands of daffodils and crocus will burst into bloom this April, transforming downtown into a breathtaking display of color. And the work isn’t done yet - there are still more bulbs to plant! The Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative is looking for volunteers to help beautify their part of the city. Join in, get your hands in the dirt, and be part of making Woonsocket shine even brighter this spring! 

The City of Woonsocket is delighted to welcome two new interns to City Hall this season

In Partnership with the RI State Internship Program, City Hall is hosting two interns from Providence College! Phoebe Clark, from Kennebunkport, Maine, is a Sociology and Psychology double major. She joins the Human Services Department, where she contributes to projects that help residents connect with essential community resources and support programs. Luke Roberts, from Huntington, New York, is pursuing a degree in Quantitative Economics with a minor in Finance. He supports the Finance Department on special projects and data initiatives, primarily assisting the City Assessor with property valuation and real estate analytics, while also collaborating with the accounting team. Both Phoebe and Luke bring enthusiasm, curiosity, and fresh perspectives to City Hall. We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they’ll make in the months ahead.

What a Difference a Façade Grant Can Make!

Danny’s Breakfast Place, located at 1039 Cass Avenue, has been a true labor of love for owner Daniel Nelligan and his sister Cheri, who manages the restaurant. The siblings purchased the 1900-built building in 2000, and it has been a beloved staple in the community ever since. This classic, family-friendly diner has served as a local gathering spot and an eatery since the late 1970s. When the City’s Façade Grant became available to small businesses, Daniel was eager to restore and refresh the exterior. With the grant’s support, the restaurant received new windows, doors, fresh paint, and replacement of the aging clapboard siding, giving this neighborhood favorite a well-deserved facelift while preserving its historic charm.

Shayna Walls, User Billing and Reporting Specialist, with her winning pumpkin!

This October, our Finance Director brought some festive spirit to the office by supplying pumpkins to the team for a creative (and slightly competitive!) team-building challenge. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and got painting and decorating their gourds with impressive creativity. For two weeks, the Treasury lobby became a pumpkin gallery, where visitors and staff alike could vote for their favorite designs. The results were as bright and cheerful as the pumpkins themselves! Congratulations to Shayna Walls, whose pumpkin masterpiece took home first place! Shayna received a Chelo’s Gift Card for her creative efforts and seasonal spirit. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this fall activity such a success proving once again that our team’s creativity extends far beyond the spreadsheets!

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169 Main Street | Woonsocket, RI 02895

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