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Pine Street Inn Serves 1,000 Christmas Eve Meals as Demand for Shelter Surges

Rising demand stretches capacity, with volunteers, carolers and faith leaders helping deliver holiday services.

Overview

  • The Boston nonprofit hosted its annual Christmas Eve luncheon, preparing roughly 1,000 meals for guests.
  • Staff also delivered meals to people staying on the streets, while holiday celebrations took place across its housing sites.
  • Executive director Lyndia Downie said about 700 people are coming in nightly, up from roughly 550 last year.
  • To handle the increase, the organization has installed bunk beds and added cots as short‑term measures.
  • Accounts differ on its housing footprint, with reports citing either 1,200 units or four shelters plus 40 housing locations.