Above: To help a group of immigrants sheltering in Southborough, Town officials have set up a gift registry of specific items they are collecting at the public safety station through this Saturday. (images from registry website and by Beth Melo)
Late last week, 60 asylum seekers (including infants and children) were put up at a hotel in our town. Now, Town officials are sharing news on how our community can help by donating specific items from a registry. (No cash or gift cards.)
Recently, I shared news about donations sought for migrant families sheltering in Northborough. Local headlines have made clear that cities all across Massachusetts have seen influxes of migrant families located in hotels treated as emergency shelters by the state. So, it was only a matter of time before the issue made its way to Southborough.
Apparently, Town officials learned of the 18 families lodged at the Red Roof Inn on Friday. I was alerted soon after, but at that time, Town officials were still dealing with the immediate situation and scrambling to get up to speed. This morning, they were finally prepared to provide specifics for how those who want to pitch-in can.
The press release makes clear that the Town expects to make future announcements on what help is needed as the situation evolves:
On Friday, August 4, 2023 Southborough Town officials and our legislative delegation were alerted by the Commonwealth that 18 asylum-seeking families were being placed in a hotel in the Town of Southborough. The Select Board, Public Safety departments, the legislative delegation, and other enlisted state agencies and area non-profits mobilized immediately to coordinate the pressing needs of these roughly 60 individuals, which includes children and infants. The Town is also in close communication with other communities in our region who are also housing many asylum-seeking families.
Various state agencies are working with the Town to coordinate food delivery, medical assessment, Mass Health resources, translator services and other needs assessments.
We created a Target Community Registry for requested items – [click here] see https://www.target.com/gift[1]registry/gift/sboronewarrivalneeds. Please do not purchase Target Gift cards at this time (by default this is an option in the registry). We will continue to add items to this registry as needs arise. Currently, we are NOT accepting used clothing, cash donations, or household items. Requested items on the Target Registry may be dropped off at the Southborough Public Safety Complex, 32 Cordaville Rd, Southborough between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Saturday August 12, 2023.
Thank you for your caring and support as these families seek safe-haven. The needs will change as we help these families settle into the next step of their journey. Please check https://www.southboroughtown.com/ for additional updates.
For any inquiries related to this emergency need, please contact Mark Purple, Town Administrator, mpurple@southboroughma.com.
According to the Boston Globe, Governor Healey is expected to make an announcement soon about steps she plans to take to relieve pressure the situation is causing in communities. You can read more about that here.
