Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Falmouth Service Center Open?
Tuesday: 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Thursday: 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-12:00pm
We have an entire page devoted to the changes we have been making at this time. Please check out our Coronavirus Response Page.
How do I get food?
At this time, we are serving any household in need of food and have moved our food distribution outside of our building in a drive-thru format. You may pick up food once/week at this time, if you need it.
During normal operation (when our building is open), you are eligible to receive food from the Food Pantry at the Falmouth Service Center if you live or work in Falmouth or live in Mashpee or at Joint Base Cape Cod. You can come in to register at any time when we are open. Please bring in a document with your current address on it. (lease or piece of mail dated within last 30 days).
How do I make an appointment for food stamps or fuel assistance?
Food Stamps is now called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Learn more about SNAP and how to apply for assistance. Download the list of documents you will need to bring with you to the appointment.
Fuel Assistance appointments start in mid-October each year. Learn more about Fuel Assistance.
I need financial assistance. How do I know if I qualify?
The Falmouth Service Center is able to provide some limited financial assistance to Falmouth residents only that qualify. Learn more about FSC’s Financial Assistance Program. If you are NOT a Falmouth resident but are a resident of another Cape Cod town, call the Needy Fund at 508-778-5661 to see if they can assist you.
What can I donate to the Falmouth Service Center?
We are not currently accepting food/household donations at 611 Gifford street at this time. Please see the Thrift Shop page for other donation updates.
When we resume accepting donations:
We Accept:
Non-perishable food items
Diapers for infants and toddlers
Toiletries
Fresh Start Back to School items
New toys at the holidays for our holiday gift distribution
You can drop off donations at the back door during regular business hours only. Please drive your car around to the back of the building and ring the door bell where someone will meet you. Please do not leave goods when we are closed.
We Cannot Accept:
Frozen or refrigerated food unless it has just been purchased that same day and you can provide a register receipt
Used toys - you can bring used toys to the Swap Shop at the Falmouth dump.
Any medical equipment (see below)
If you have clothing, small household items or furniture items, like lamps or small end tables, please see below for new donation information.
Do you have medical equipment that I can use or borrow?
The Falmouth Senior Center, has taken back their Medical Equipment Program. We can no longer accept returns of any medical equipment, nor do we have medical equipment to loan out.
If you are a resident of Falmouth and you are in need of medical equipment, please contact the Falmouth Senior Center at 508-540-0196 to see if they have the item that you are looking for and someone will check on its availability.
Can I donate medical equipment?
The Falmouth Senior Center, has taken back their Medical Equipment Program. We can no longer accept returns of any medical equipment nor any donations of medical equipment. Please note that if you wish to donate medical equipment, the Falmouth Senior Center is only accepting the following equipment in good, clean condition, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Wheelchairs, shower chairs and shower benches and walkers.We are currently accepting wheelchairs and shower chairs only.
Where should I bring my clothes donation?
Hand in hand Thrift Shop has reopened!
We are accepting donations Wednesday to Saturday from 10am-2pm. See below for our updated hours list.
We are open:
Wednesday: 10am-4pm
Thursday: 10am-4pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
We have one central processing area and donations are processed there for both our free clothing room at the Falmouth Service Center, Gifford Street location and our new thrift shop. When we resume donations, we will accept the following donations at our 141 Sandwich Road location (Hand in hand Thrift Shop).
We are currently on accepting specific donations from 10 am - 2 pm, Thursday - Saturday. All donations will take place outside in our parking lot. We are limited in what we may be able to accept.
We gratefully accept NEW and GENTLY USED:
Accessories: belts, shoes, handbags, and jewelry
Antiques, collectibles, vintage housewares
Area Rugs
Books (excluding encyclopedias)
CD's, DVD's, Blue Ray discs and records
Clothing: for women, men, teens, children, and infants that are in season, now taking fall/winter only
Flat screen TV's, DVD players, CD players
Furniture - not upholstered, wood - such as chairs, small tables, dressers, bureaus, china cabinets, dining room sets, end tables, desks, and hutches. All furniture must be pre-approved. Please see below for information on how this works!
Home decor, home goods, and artwork
Housewares:including small appliances in working order
Lamps: in working order
Linens: towels, tablecloths, runners, napkins, sheets, comforters, and blankets
Patio and wicker furniture with pre-approval
Stereo Equipment
Sporting goods in season
Toys - new preferred and gently used, including games, puzzles, and Legos
We Must Decline:
Baby Equipment -- car seats, cribs, highchairs, play pens, etc.
Bed frames, headboards, footboards
bed pillows, mattresses, mattress pads, toss pillows
Computers, laptops, printers
Curtains, drapes, blinds
Encyclopedias
Exercise equipment
Furniture that is upholstered, leather, oversized or made of particle board
Grills
Knives
Large appliances including air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, space heaters
Luggage
Medical Equipment
Non-flat screen TV's
Paper Bags
Please be aware that we may not be able to accommodate all donations. Thank you for understanding.
ALL furniture donations must be pre - approved. Please call Hand in hand Thrift Shop at 508-457-0770 or email photos of your furniture you would like to donate to thriftshop@falmouthservicecenter.org to start the process.
Can I volunteer at the Falmouth Service Center?
If you are interested in volunteering at FSC or at our Hand in hand Thrift Shop, click here to learn more about the many services provided by our volunteers and to find our volunteer application.
How do I make a donation in honor of someone's birthday, anniversary, or event?
This is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s special day with a gift to the Falmouth Service Center. Your gift allows us to purchase additional food at the Greater Boston Food Bank; for every $1 donated we can purchase $5 worth of food.
We can accept donations by check or credit card at this time. Donate online or learn about other ways to donate to the Falmouth Service Center.
If you wish to donate money in honor of someone, we will send an acknowledgement to the honoree. Be sure to note their name and address in the memo field online. If you wish to have something to go in a card to the individual please contact our office at 508-548-2794 and we will be happy to create a note for this purpose.
I need a phone number or website address for another social service agency. Can you help me find it?
Providing referrals and phone numbers for other organizations is one of the most important things we do at the Falmouth Service Center.
Visit the Resources and Referral pages where you will find many of the organizations that we work with every day. If you don’t find the resource you are looking for, please call 508-548-2794 and our Information Specialist will be happy to help answer your question.
I do not have health insurance. Can I apply for MassHealth at the Falmouth Service Center? Can I get access to any other health services?
Yes, you can apply for MassHealth and other MassHealth options at the Falmouth Service Center. Learn more about health insurance.
The Community Health Center of Cape Cod provides affordable medical care to children, adults, and families on the Upper Cape. Currently, you can apply for MassHealth, Monday - Thursday in their Mashpee offices and they have someone available to help people fill out MassHealth applications.
Do you have home food delivery?
Yes. The FSC Home Food Delivery Program is available for senior citizens and those who are ill or homebound. The program delivers food twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays, once for perishable foods and once for general groceries. If you believe you are in need of this program, please call 508-548-2794.
What is The Fresh Start Program? How do I learn more about this program and how I can sponsor a child?
Fresh Start is a program that provides enrolled Falmouth school children who are clients of the Falmouth Service Center with a complete set of new clothing and a backpack filled with school supplies to start the new school year. Learn more about The Fresh Start Program and how to sponsor a child for this program.
Is your child in need of a backpack? We are distributing backpacks to Falmouth children on Wednesday, August 26th from 4 - 6 p.m. This will be done in a safe drive-through format and you will be required to wear a mask at pick-up.
If you are in need of food and you don't live near FSC, please visit the Greater Boston Food Bank website for a list of regional food pantries in your area.
We are a proud member agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank.