AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE: MATERIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP)The Material Assistance Program (MAP) in Cambridge, a humanitarian program of the American Friends Service Committee, provides needy individuals with clothing and household goods. Begun in 1944 to collect clothing for refugees during World War II, the MAP serves the metropolitan Boston area.
The AFSC accepts donations of material goods, including bedding, linens, housewares, kitchenware, small appliances, and clothing, which are then redistributed to those in need. Volunteers sort materials to ensure good condition before passing on to recipients.
Clients must have a referral from a caseworker/social worker to access the MAP. Requests written on the referring agency’s letterhead may be faxed to 617-876-5309.
If not using the referral form, the referral letter should include:Only items included in the request will be dispensed, dependent upon availability.
- the names, ages, and clothing sizes of all recipients,
- the circumstances that necessitate assistance and
- a list of needed items.
After faxing the request form, the Social Worker must call to make an appointment for the individual to pick-up the items at the MAP warehouse. Recipients must keep the original copy of the request that was sent to MAP, and bring it to act as identification when picking up their goods.
For more information, please visit the AFSC New England website: www.afsc.org/newengland, or http://afsc.org/program/cambridge-material-assistance-program# or call MAP at 617-876-5312.
This program is including in IRis if you search under Financial/Secondhand clothing, Financial/Secondhand furniture, and Financial/thriftshop.
09/07