Community Outreach Program

The Greater Boston Knitting Guild reaches out to the community by providing hand knits to support three charitable and educational programs: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute Caps for Kids, The Women’s Lunch Place, and Plimoth Plantation.

Dana Farber collects and distributes hats and other items to needy families in schools, day care, community and health centers in the Greater Boston area. In 2010 our Guild members knitted 828 items for the children, which was approximately 10% of Dana Farber’s total distribution.

In 2012 the Guild again supplied teddy bears dressed in one of a kind knitted garments to be given to children being treated for cancer or those under stress due to a family medical emergency. Guild members are known for their creativity. Prizes are awarded for outstanding costumes!

The Woman’s Lunch Place (www.womenslunchplace.org) is a daytime shelter for more than 200 homeless and poor women and their children. The organization treats women with dignity and respect and fosters a community committed to meeting each woman’s needs. Our Guild knits hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, and leg warmers to be given as Christmas and holiday gifts annually.

Our newest outreach activity is creating reproduction knitwear for the 17th Century English Village and Mayflower II role players. (www.plimoth.org). We knit stockings, hats, gloves, garters, and pockets from authentic seventeenth century patterns. Guild members knit at the Plimoth Plantation visitor center and demonstrate works in progress.